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Dominion #2
Ascension
Book 2 of the Dominion Series, Ascension, follows Eve as her world is turned upside down when events separate Eve from Michel and she must remain in the care of Julien. As she is drawn more deeply into Julien's life, she develops an attachment to him that she cannot deny.
While the brothers play a dangerous game of power with an ancient enemy in an effort to prevent Dominion -- when vampires rule over humans -- Eve is swept up into a strange new world that exists just under the surface. She's introduced to the job of vampire hunter, put in immediate danger and expected to choose sides with barely enough time to breathe.
Gifted with paranormal skills, planning to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a vampire hunter, Eve is torn between loyalty to her mother’s cause and her desire for these twins.
Erotic, suspenseful and fast-paced, the Dominion Series will keep you turning pages as Eve searches for the truth about her mother’s death, her birth and her desires.
While the brothers play a dangerous game of power with an ancient enemy in an effort to prevent Dominion -- when vampires rule over humans -- Eve is swept up into a strange new world that exists just under the surface. She's introduced to the job of vampire hunter, put in immediate danger and expected to choose sides with barely enough time to breathe.
Gifted with paranormal skills, planning to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a vampire hunter, Eve is torn between loyalty to her mother’s cause and her desire for these twins.
Erotic, suspenseful and fast-paced, the Dominion Series will keep you turning pages as Eve searches for the truth about her mother’s death, her birth and her desires.
ebook
First published June 30, 2012
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About the author
S.E. Lund
85 books1,037 followersS. E. (Elizabeth) Lund is a writer who lives on the side of a mountain in beautiful British Columbia, Canada with her family of humans and animals. She read Dracula when she was ten, and has been warped ever since. She reads many genres and writes in a few, including paranormal romantic suspense, high fantasy, and YA SF/F. Her books are available on Amazon Kindle, which can be read on any PC, Mac or Smartphone with the Kindle App, available in the App store and at Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 3, 2015
Ok, I have a problem. I want to write a review of this book, but if I'm honest and mention all the points I feel worth bringing up I'll just sound like I'm ranting and spewing hate. So, what to leave out? It's gonna be a long and unpleasant one. I apologise up front.
Suffice it to say I didn't like Ascension. I thought Dominion was OK, but this book was horrible. It wasn't that the writing was bad, but that I HATED the characters, ALL OF THEM. I found Eve to be the most pitiful and disgusting female lead I've ever encountered. She might as well have had Victim, Victim, Victim stamped on her forehead. Julian was just an ass and Michel turned out to be so selfish it was hard to face. Seriously, I wanted to shoot them all...except Vasily. Vasily was all right. He was about the only one I could tolerate.
My first issue was that this book seemed to have one theme that was repeated over and over and over and OVER again—'You must submit and obey, Eve.' My god, I got tired of reading that, especially in the first half. The thing is, while I understand the fantasy appeal of reading about submitting sexually to a strong man (it's why I picked this series up), watching first Michel and then Julien try to force...no, not force...talk Eve into submission by repeating 'you must,' 'you have to,' you've got no choice but to,' etc got damn tiring. Plus, they didn't want just sexual subordination, but complete submission in all things. I know it's a personal opinion, but I found it all so far from sexy I almost couldn't take it, for two reasons.
First, part of what I think makes the submission fantasy erotic is the fact that the woman is indulging herself in something she wants. However, Michel and Julien's continued nagging for submission suggests that she didn't in fact want to. The author threw the occasional "she found it secretly appealing" in there and I did understand that the men were supposed to be reading her real internal wishes, but Eve's conscious mind rebelled at the idea of being a slave, especially a mindless blood slave. So if it wasn't something Eve wanted, but something the men were trying to impose (which it very much felt like), it's lost the very element that made it appealing to me in the first place. And despite their constant demands of obedience, they never allowed her time to learn to trust them or showed any inclination to take her needs into consideration, thereby proving themselves trustworthy. Jackasses, the both of them.
Secondly, the D/s fantasy kind of requires a man to have a forceful enough personality that Eve would want to submit to him. It's a falsehood, of course, but part of the whole erotic fantasy, not reality. However, Michel and Julien came across as wheedling. They may as well have been begging. "Please submit to me." Please do what I say." Please give me all the power." The fantasy doesn't work both ways.
I think what Lund was probably trying to create is the impression that the men had such powerful personalities that they could force Eve's to want to submit, but because they cared for her were willing to indulge her fruitless attempts to resist. But it didn't work. It can't. Either they are strong, dominant men that the woman chooses to submit to or they are the softer sort who try to cajole her into subordination—one or the other. Well, I suppose this could become a true bondage and rape themed book and they really could force her, but that option wouldn't accomplish the book's goals either.
There also seemed to be some disconnect about the whole dominance thing to start with. Book one suggested that this was a quirk Michel had developed after his time with Marguerite, a form of self-protection or something. But here Julien acted the same, as did Luke. He even referred to it as "the old ways." If this was a vampire-thing, as opposed to a Michel-thing it's a very different story and it feels like evidence of plot drift on the author's part. I can't know this for sure, obviously, but it felt like she started writing it one way, then ended up with something different and never went back to match the two up.
Then, when the history of rape was brought in I almost just dropped the series. Is there no other way available to authors to show a woman's vulnerabilities? Seriously, it was predictable, unoriginal and just plain tawdry. It crept up to ruin almost any pleasant moment Eve, and therefore I, had in the book.
I get that Eve had had a tragic past and, therefor, deserves a little slack. I really do. But I have never had so little respect for a female character. I can tell you exactly when I lost my last dregs of respect too. I made a Kindle note at 54% saying, "If she gives in to him, I'll lose what little respect I have left for her." Then a paragraph later posted a second note saying, "There you go. I no longer respect this woman at all. Pathetic." That's how I feel about Eve. She's pathetic, spine-less, gullible, and apparently has no respect for her own self-worth. So why should I? The things she accepted, the way she let Julien repeatedly devalue her and then crawled to him sickened me. And this was not within the confines of a structured D/s relationship. It's just the way he treated her.
Plus, she's just about too stupid to live. Example: a co-worker risked his life to bring her some research related to a clue she knew to be important. She then refused to read it because she didn't believe the mythology it referred to. Listen bitch, if a person thinks it's important enough to risk his life to bring it to you, you read it. If not out of self-preservation, then at least out of basic courtesy. Besides, she'd accepted vampires, telepathy, miraculous healings, etc already. So why be so ridiculously obstinate about other supernatural occurrences? I don't think I've ever liked a character less and I know I've never had less respect for one.
Julien was only slightly better. Of the three main characters, him, Eve and Michel I liked him most. But that's still not much. He was a complete jerk to Eve, constantly making unreasonable demands and treating her like dirt. And he was always pushing drugs, booze and blood on her as a way to steal her control and force her to release her inhibitions. However, there were hints that, had the two of them had a little longer, he might have improved. Problem is that about 20% from the end Michel returned and Julien was essentially dropped from the plot completely. I have no idea where he went. I mean the warehouse was HIS home, but he up and vanished. It was as if he and Michel couldn't occupy the plot at the same time.
Probably worst of all, though, is that apparently a war was going on, but it's all behind the scenes. The men...you know those all important men who can go out and effect the world, unlike us little women, were constantly disappearing to do who knows what. But all the reader got was Eve's drivel and internal confusion about her hope that someone would come home and fuck her that night. I get that this is erotica, but if the plot is based on a Biblical war, then the reader needs to see at least a little of it.
Again, the writing here was fine—pretty much not worth discussing, good or bad. I'm not trying to impart anything about the author's actual skill. But, I hated this book with a level of vitriolic passion that surprises even me. But I have book three on my Kindle and I have this horrible morbid desire to read it and see if the series manages to redeem itself or can somehow manage to get worse. I've checked out other reviews and I can see I'm in the minority here. People like the book. I don't see the appeal. In fact, even though I usually enjoy a little foray into fantasy domination, much of what was written here repulsed me. But I respect 'to each their own.' I'd give this a one star if I could. But I generally hold that a complete, properly structured book deserves at least two stars. So, that's what I'll give it.
Suffice it to say I didn't like Ascension. I thought Dominion was OK, but this book was horrible. It wasn't that the writing was bad, but that I HATED the characters, ALL OF THEM. I found Eve to be the most pitiful and disgusting female lead I've ever encountered. She might as well have had Victim, Victim, Victim stamped on her forehead. Julian was just an ass and Michel turned out to be so selfish it was hard to face. Seriously, I wanted to shoot them all...except Vasily. Vasily was all right. He was about the only one I could tolerate.
My first issue was that this book seemed to have one theme that was repeated over and over and over and OVER again—'You must submit and obey, Eve.' My god, I got tired of reading that, especially in the first half. The thing is, while I understand the fantasy appeal of reading about submitting sexually to a strong man (it's why I picked this series up), watching first Michel and then Julien try to force...no, not force...talk Eve into submission by repeating 'you must,' 'you have to,' you've got no choice but to,' etc got damn tiring. Plus, they didn't want just sexual subordination, but complete submission in all things. I know it's a personal opinion, but I found it all so far from sexy I almost couldn't take it, for two reasons.
First, part of what I think makes the submission fantasy erotic is the fact that the woman is indulging herself in something she wants. However, Michel and Julien's continued nagging for submission suggests that she didn't in fact want to. The author threw the occasional "she found it secretly appealing" in there and I did understand that the men were supposed to be reading her real internal wishes, but Eve's conscious mind rebelled at the idea of being a slave, especially a mindless blood slave. So if it wasn't something Eve wanted, but something the men were trying to impose (which it very much felt like), it's lost the very element that made it appealing to me in the first place. And despite their constant demands of obedience, they never allowed her time to learn to trust them or showed any inclination to take her needs into consideration, thereby proving themselves trustworthy. Jackasses, the both of them.
Secondly, the D/s fantasy kind of requires a man to have a forceful enough personality that Eve would want to submit to him. It's a falsehood, of course, but part of the whole erotic fantasy, not reality. However, Michel and Julien came across as wheedling. They may as well have been begging. "Please submit to me." Please do what I say." Please give me all the power." The fantasy doesn't work both ways.
I think what Lund was probably trying to create is the impression that the men had such powerful personalities that they could force Eve's to want to submit, but because they cared for her were willing to indulge her fruitless attempts to resist. But it didn't work. It can't. Either they are strong, dominant men that the woman chooses to submit to or they are the softer sort who try to cajole her into subordination—one or the other. Well, I suppose this could become a true bondage and rape themed book and they really could force her, but that option wouldn't accomplish the book's goals either.
There also seemed to be some disconnect about the whole dominance thing to start with. Book one suggested that this was a quirk Michel had developed after his time with Marguerite, a form of self-protection or something. But here Julien acted the same, as did Luke. He even referred to it as "the old ways." If this was a vampire-thing, as opposed to a Michel-thing it's a very different story and it feels like evidence of plot drift on the author's part. I can't know this for sure, obviously, but it felt like she started writing it one way, then ended up with something different and never went back to match the two up.
Then, when the history of rape was brought in I almost just dropped the series. Is there no other way available to authors to show a woman's vulnerabilities? Seriously, it was predictable, unoriginal and just plain tawdry. It crept up to ruin almost any pleasant moment Eve, and therefore I, had in the book.
I get that Eve had had a tragic past and, therefor, deserves a little slack. I really do. But I have never had so little respect for a female character. I can tell you exactly when I lost my last dregs of respect too. I made a Kindle note at 54% saying, "If she gives in to him, I'll lose what little respect I have left for her." Then a paragraph later posted a second note saying, "There you go. I no longer respect this woman at all. Pathetic." That's how I feel about Eve. She's pathetic, spine-less, gullible, and apparently has no respect for her own self-worth. So why should I? The things she accepted, the way she let Julien repeatedly devalue her and then crawled to him sickened me. And this was not within the confines of a structured D/s relationship. It's just the way he treated her.
Plus, she's just about too stupid to live. Example: a co-worker risked his life to bring her some research related to a clue she knew to be important. She then refused to read it because she didn't believe the mythology it referred to. Listen bitch, if a person thinks it's important enough to risk his life to bring it to you, you read it. If not out of self-preservation, then at least out of basic courtesy. Besides, she'd accepted vampires, telepathy, miraculous healings, etc already. So why be so ridiculously obstinate about other supernatural occurrences? I don't think I've ever liked a character less and I know I've never had less respect for one.
Julien was only slightly better. Of the three main characters, him, Eve and Michel I liked him most. But that's still not much. He was a complete jerk to Eve, constantly making unreasonable demands and treating her like dirt. And he was always pushing drugs, booze and blood on her as a way to steal her control and force her to release her inhibitions. However, there were hints that, had the two of them had a little longer, he might have improved. Problem is that about 20% from the end Michel returned and Julien was essentially dropped from the plot completely. I have no idea where he went. I mean the warehouse was HIS home, but he up and vanished. It was as if he and Michel couldn't occupy the plot at the same time.
Probably worst of all, though, is that apparently a war was going on, but it's all behind the scenes. The men...you know those all important men who can go out and effect the world, unlike us little women, were constantly disappearing to do who knows what. But all the reader got was Eve's drivel and internal confusion about her hope that someone would come home and fuck her that night. I get that this is erotica, but if the plot is based on a Biblical war, then the reader needs to see at least a little of it.
Again, the writing here was fine—pretty much not worth discussing, good or bad. I'm not trying to impart anything about the author's actual skill. But, I hated this book with a level of vitriolic passion that surprises even me. But I have book three on my Kindle and I have this horrible morbid desire to read it and see if the series manages to redeem itself or can somehow manage to get worse. I've checked out other reviews and I can see I'm in the minority here. People like the book. I don't see the appeal. In fact, even though I usually enjoy a little foray into fantasy domination, much of what was written here repulsed me. But I respect 'to each their own.' I'd give this a one star if I could. But I generally hold that a complete, properly structured book deserves at least two stars. So, that's what I'll give it.
November 8, 2015
3.5 stars. Not as good as the first one.
I really didn't like Eve's or Julien's personalities in this one to a point were I almost hated them.
But ... once Michel came back the book changed especially the last few chapters and I really started to enjoy the series again.
I really didn't like Eve's or Julien's personalities in this one to a point were I almost hated them.
But ... once Michel came back the book changed especially the last few chapters and I really started to enjoy the series again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2012
4.5 Stars!!!
I am very emotionally invested into this story. I have to see it through.
This is the second book in this five book series and in this installment we are given more information about what is happening in this dangerous world of vampires, ancients, humans, fallen angels who are all fighting to push their agenda. The world that the author builds is complex and dangerous. It leaves the heroine on a one way street she can not get off of and maybe wouldn't want to.
Eve awakens from injuries with her memories destroyed. As those memories start to be restored one by one we learn all sorts of new information such as how and who killed Eve's mom. What was a difficult decision before...who to trust, who she loves more, is now even more complicated.
Little by little Eve discovers what is really going on and what she stepped into. At the end of book one Michael thought he had found a way to keep Eve alive and uninvolved, hidden from the crazy world he and Julian drifted through...but his need and love for her betrayed his efforts. Back she was taking one more dangerous step closer to the center of this horror.
Julian and Michel are not perfect, each has it's flaws and although neither wanted it or planned it but they have both fallen in love with Eve. Their emotional involvement adds a layer to the dangerous situation they are involved with. She can't decide who she loves more and drifts back and forth between them....and instead of deciding, she falls deeper and deeper with each....She loves one and hurts the other....and intern hurts herself. This is an emotionally raw story. And on top of it she does not know who to trust. Neither is always up front with her. It only gets more complicated as the story goes on.
You know what Eve knows in this story....the information , plot twists and dramatic revelations occur and shock you into turning one more page. The more Eve learns the more she is drawn into the drama. They are hurling towards an apex that Eve is not prepared for. All she can do is hang on and hopefully get to the end in one piece. War is coming....the fight for humanity and the world as we know it.
Two sides, neither's first concern is mankind are clashing for supremacy. Is Eve on the right side? She wishes she knew enough of the facts to believe she is. Michel keeps asking her to submit, agree without knowing everything to just accept him to make the decisions for what is best for her. Julian promises to tell her anything she wants to know and he feels there is a different way to fight this war and win. But he is also selective in what he tells Eve.
This story is like riding a roller coaster.... it heads in one direction and then suddenly you are jerked back in another. You get to try to decide who to commit to, who to love and what side to throw your hat in with as you see this all unfold through Eve's eyes. A great story and the problem is I am enjoying it so much I ended up staying up all night to finish it....You just can't put it down. Excellent Read....no sleep.
Book Trailers: http://youtu.be/dOraKHgxIe8
http://youtu.be/99vR3-I7AwY
Author website: http://selund.com/
I am very emotionally invested into this story. I have to see it through.
This is the second book in this five book series and in this installment we are given more information about what is happening in this dangerous world of vampires, ancients, humans, fallen angels who are all fighting to push their agenda. The world that the author builds is complex and dangerous. It leaves the heroine on a one way street she can not get off of and maybe wouldn't want to.
Eve awakens from injuries with her memories destroyed. As those memories start to be restored one by one we learn all sorts of new information such as how and who killed Eve's mom. What was a difficult decision before...who to trust, who she loves more, is now even more complicated.
Little by little Eve discovers what is really going on and what she stepped into. At the end of book one Michael thought he had found a way to keep Eve alive and uninvolved, hidden from the crazy world he and Julian drifted through...but his need and love for her betrayed his efforts. Back she was taking one more dangerous step closer to the center of this horror.
Julian and Michel are not perfect, each has it's flaws and although neither wanted it or planned it but they have both fallen in love with Eve. Their emotional involvement adds a layer to the dangerous situation they are involved with. She can't decide who she loves more and drifts back and forth between them....and instead of deciding, she falls deeper and deeper with each....She loves one and hurts the other....and intern hurts herself. This is an emotionally raw story. And on top of it she does not know who to trust. Neither is always up front with her. It only gets more complicated as the story goes on.
You know what Eve knows in this story....the information , plot twists and dramatic revelations occur and shock you into turning one more page. The more Eve learns the more she is drawn into the drama. They are hurling towards an apex that Eve is not prepared for. All she can do is hang on and hopefully get to the end in one piece. War is coming....the fight for humanity and the world as we know it.
Two sides, neither's first concern is mankind are clashing for supremacy. Is Eve on the right side? She wishes she knew enough of the facts to believe she is. Michel keeps asking her to submit, agree without knowing everything to just accept him to make the decisions for what is best for her. Julian promises to tell her anything she wants to know and he feels there is a different way to fight this war and win. But he is also selective in what he tells Eve.
This story is like riding a roller coaster.... it heads in one direction and then suddenly you are jerked back in another. You get to try to decide who to commit to, who to love and what side to throw your hat in with as you see this all unfold through Eve's eyes. A great story and the problem is I am enjoying it so much I ended up staying up all night to finish it....You just can't put it down. Excellent Read....no sleep.
Book Trailers: http://youtu.be/dOraKHgxIe8
http://youtu.be/99vR3-I7AwY
Author website: http://selund.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2015
Eve is a strong, principled woman, one who does not make hasty decisions or change her mind easily. Michel and Julian are masters at the game of manipulation; after all they themselves were victims of it. But the grand master of all deception, manipulation, and secrecy is Soren, and so here is our palette of main characters.
Starting where the first book left off we are ushered into a small emotional roller coaster car that enters the tracks at high speed, twisting and turning – sometimes making you feel like your upside down. I’ve only had one other book in my reading history that has pulled so many emotions from me, has been so thought provoking, that has made me feel the love between characters so strongly even though it’s not a happy loving situation – a book that has made me think what would I actually do, am I making the right decisions, can this work out any other way.
I love that S.E. Lind is taking her time, developing the characters, giving us a plot worthy of our time and emotions, not scrimping or cheating us on anything just to get to the end of the story. In one book you can have a favorite brother and then hate him 5 pages later. Learning more about Eve’s back story, the abuse, the time spent to hone her artistic crafts, feeling the love she has for both brothers, knowing how conflicted she is in her choice of one brother over the other, and her hate for Soren you feel every decision she makes. This is complex, dirty love story, I’m not sure if the right or wrong choices are being made. I do know that Michel loves Eve and will do anything within his powers to keep her safe, but his choices don’t seem the best for Eve at times.
I found myself not wanting Eve to make some of the decision she made, I didn’t want her to give up her ideals and convictions, I liked that she was a strong women in her own right. The twins have harped on her to submit for her own good, but have her decisions brought her to submission? The twins want total life submission, but Eve‘s ideals and convictions won’t allow her to relinquish her choices to others, and so lies one of the big dilemmas our characters have to face.
I’m not a professional book reviewer, and I’m glad I’m not – I have so much emotion tied up in this story, and I can’t wait to continue this journey. I can’t decide who’s right and whose wrong, who’s good or bad. I feel the love between Eve and Michel, but I am saddened by her dependence on him, and I hope that her strength will be able to emerge once again, and though she will never be Michel’s equal, I hope that she can hold her own in the war that has began.
I give thanks to S.E. Lund for crafting such a great story and allowing me to take this journey, to feel even though I may not always enjoy it.
Starting where the first book left off we are ushered into a small emotional roller coaster car that enters the tracks at high speed, twisting and turning – sometimes making you feel like your upside down. I’ve only had one other book in my reading history that has pulled so many emotions from me, has been so thought provoking, that has made me feel the love between characters so strongly even though it’s not a happy loving situation – a book that has made me think what would I actually do, am I making the right decisions, can this work out any other way.
I love that S.E. Lind is taking her time, developing the characters, giving us a plot worthy of our time and emotions, not scrimping or cheating us on anything just to get to the end of the story. In one book you can have a favorite brother and then hate him 5 pages later. Learning more about Eve’s back story, the abuse, the time spent to hone her artistic crafts, feeling the love she has for both brothers, knowing how conflicted she is in her choice of one brother over the other, and her hate for Soren you feel every decision she makes. This is complex, dirty love story, I’m not sure if the right or wrong choices are being made. I do know that Michel loves Eve and will do anything within his powers to keep her safe, but his choices don’t seem the best for Eve at times.
I found myself not wanting Eve to make some of the decision she made, I didn’t want her to give up her ideals and convictions, I liked that she was a strong women in her own right. The twins have harped on her to submit for her own good, but have her decisions brought her to submission? The twins want total life submission, but Eve‘s ideals and convictions won’t allow her to relinquish her choices to others, and so lies one of the big dilemmas our characters have to face.
I’m not a professional book reviewer, and I’m glad I’m not – I have so much emotion tied up in this story, and I can’t wait to continue this journey. I can’t decide who’s right and whose wrong, who’s good or bad. I feel the love between Eve and Michel, but I am saddened by her dependence on him, and I hope that her strength will be able to emerge once again, and though she will never be Michel’s equal, I hope that she can hold her own in the war that has began.
I give thanks to S.E. Lund for crafting such a great story and allowing me to take this journey, to feel even though I may not always enjoy it.
October 10, 2012
Book 1 ended with a cliffhanger!!! I ran to my computer and downloaded book 2 Ascension right away! I read most of it that night and finished the next day. What a roller coaster ride! Heartbreak, danger, revenge, love... I miss the characters today. I like that the character weren't perfect... when you go through traumatic events you get changed. These brothers are survivors and as tough as they are they are scared of a mortal woman and their love. I can not wait for the 3rd book to be released in December! I hope there will be more following that one as well.
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October 27, 2016
5 Blood-Sucking-Stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved getting know Julien better. I think i like him more than his brother. They are both very much alike but Julien is dirtier, naughtier, and more calculated.
“He starts taking off his clothes, throwing piece after piece against the wall, his trench, his jacket, his tie, his shirt, ripping at them, his movements rough. When he reaches for my clothes, I hit at him, refusing to let this happen regardless of his anger.
"Stop! You said you weren't a rapist!"
"I lied.”
In this book, Operation "Blackstone" is revealed to Eve, and it was as much of a shock to her as is was to me. Vampires want to send all humans back to the stone age by eliminating all technology so they could have complete control. No cars, computers, planes, or radio...nothing. "*Poof*"
And i loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Im a sucker for interesting sayings and quotes.
“If you wish to be loved, show more of your faults than your virtues.”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton”
I love the parts when either Julien or Michel are biting or licking Eve's neck...sooo sexy. ;)
And i know I'm probably sick in the head, but i even liked when Michel was f#%king Eve, and he was able to see into Eve's past and witness her memories of screwing his brother and liking it. When both of them came, my jaw was on the floor.
So much HOT sex is in this book. Its nothing but sex and action! I love books like this. Another great story in this awesome series. Cant wait for book 3 like a junkie! :)
But if i had one wish... It would be to bring back Julien. Once jealous Michel came back into Eve's life, Julien seems to have been banished. :(
I loved getting know Julien better. I think i like him more than his brother. They are both very much alike but Julien is dirtier, naughtier, and more calculated.
“He starts taking off his clothes, throwing piece after piece against the wall, his trench, his jacket, his tie, his shirt, ripping at them, his movements rough. When he reaches for my clothes, I hit at him, refusing to let this happen regardless of his anger.
"Stop! You said you weren't a rapist!"
"I lied.”
In this book, Operation "Blackstone" is revealed to Eve, and it was as much of a shock to her as is was to me. Vampires want to send all humans back to the stone age by eliminating all technology so they could have complete control. No cars, computers, planes, or radio...nothing. "*Poof*"
And i loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Im a sucker for interesting sayings and quotes.
“If you wish to be loved, show more of your faults than your virtues.”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton”
I love the parts when either Julien or Michel are biting or licking Eve's neck...sooo sexy. ;)
And i know I'm probably sick in the head, but i even liked when Michel was f#%king Eve, and he was able to see into Eve's past and witness her memories of screwing his brother and liking it. When both of them came, my jaw was on the floor.
So much HOT sex is in this book. Its nothing but sex and action! I love books like this. Another great story in this awesome series. Cant wait for book 3 like a junkie! :)
But if i had one wish... It would be to bring back Julien. Once jealous Michel came back into Eve's life, Julien seems to have been banished. :(
August 2, 2015
I am so confused. I read this book practically in one day. I couldn't put it down. There is just so much confusion. One minute Eve is in love with Michel and Julian is the bad guy, the next, Michel's gone, Julien takes over, and although she struggles with her feelings, still ends up in bed with him, and kinda in love with him too. One minute Soren is the big baddie, the one the twins are fighting against, the next they are in league with him. Confused much? Oh yeah. One minute the vamipres are out for Dominion, the next it's an entirely another species - fallen angels? Whaaat? And everyone wants Eve, because she's supposed to be the key, but noone's telling her what she is, or how she is the key, or why she's in so much danger and needs such protection. And while we get to finally really like Julian, all of a sudden Michel is back and Julian is never mentioned again. WTF???
It kinda seemed a bit all over the place, and jumping from one thing to the other in such a way, that my head was spinning and I must have missed something because I sure as hell have no idea what is going on. And the ending? Again: WTF?
I am intrigued as the story itself is well thought out, it has such potential and it is interesting, but the actual developments are carried out in a fashion that makes my head ache and I feel like I need someone to translate and explain what's happening. :)
I sure hope that the next book reveals some explanations, because at this point I'm ready to bang my head against the wall as the story seems to have gone back to the beginnings.
I'm so damn confused.
It kinda seemed a bit all over the place, and jumping from one thing to the other in such a way, that my head was spinning and I must have missed something because I sure as hell have no idea what is going on. And the ending? Again: WTF?
I am intrigued as the story itself is well thought out, it has such potential and it is interesting, but the actual developments are carried out in a fashion that makes my head ache and I feel like I need someone to translate and explain what's happening. :)
I sure hope that the next book reveals some explanations, because at this point I'm ready to bang my head against the wall as the story seems to have gone back to the beginnings.
I'm so damn confused.
October 1, 2012
I thought Dominion was good, but Ascension just took it to another level. The relationships between Eve and the vampire brothers heat up while they plot to fight a common enemy. There's plenty of action, angst and passion and once I started this book I had a lot of trouble putting it down!
I really enjoyed this book! Towards the end I had to re-read a few paragraphs because I thought I'd ended up in another book; there were a few curve balls thrown in there to keep me on my toes! This series has a few similarities to TVD, Twilight and 50 Shades; however there are so many original elements as well and it's a great combination!
Eve did tend to annoy me a bit in this book though. Her tears were a bit too frequent, and her refusal to believe in other entities such as angels was frustrating given her life as an adept. There were also a number of typos, but they were not distracting enough for me to consider this book less than 5 stars.
I really did love this book. It's dark, passionate and just downright fantastic! I cannot wait for book 3 and I think I'm going to have to read the first 2 books again so that I don't have Michel and Julien withdrawals!
I really enjoyed this book! Towards the end I had to re-read a few paragraphs because I thought I'd ended up in another book; there were a few curve balls thrown in there to keep me on my toes! This series has a few similarities to TVD, Twilight and 50 Shades; however there are so many original elements as well and it's a great combination!
Eve did tend to annoy me a bit in this book though. Her tears were a bit too frequent, and her refusal to believe in other entities such as angels was frustrating given her life as an adept. There were also a number of typos, but they were not distracting enough for me to consider this book less than 5 stars.
I really did love this book. It's dark, passionate and just downright fantastic! I cannot wait for book 3 and I think I'm going to have to read the first 2 books again so that I don't have Michel and Julien withdrawals!
July 3, 2014
Book 2 - Julien has been taken by a powerful enemy and Michel is going to rescue him. All of this because the enemy wants Eve.
Eve is having doubts about everything, especially since her mother killed vampires and she is in love with 2. After Michel rescues Julien by giving himself to the enemy Eve spend most the book with Julien and slowly starts to fall in love with him because she is lonely without Michel. Julien too is trying to fight Dominion over the humans and still protect Eve. Eve questions everything both brothers due and there are times I just wanted to slap her and say enough with the questions.
Michel comes back and both Julien and Michel make a united stand in front of all the other vampires. Michel wants Eve back and she willingly goes to him. I don't want to tell you the ending of the book but I shocked and loved it.
I don't think I will buy the 3rd book as much as I want to find out what happens because Eve is starting to get on my nerves but I just might.
Eve is having doubts about everything, especially since her mother killed vampires and she is in love with 2. After Michel rescues Julien by giving himself to the enemy Eve spend most the book with Julien and slowly starts to fall in love with him because she is lonely without Michel. Julien too is trying to fight Dominion over the humans and still protect Eve. Eve questions everything both brothers due and there are times I just wanted to slap her and say enough with the questions.
Michel comes back and both Julien and Michel make a united stand in front of all the other vampires. Michel wants Eve back and she willingly goes to him. I don't want to tell you the ending of the book but I shocked and loved it.
I don't think I will buy the 3rd book as much as I want to find out what happens because Eve is starting to get on my nerves but I just might.
October 18, 2015
I'm struggling to stay interested enough to finish this series but... Gah. What horrible people. The D/s crap turned me off before but it doesn't even make sense now. "You must submit." Why? "You just do."
She won't (she says), but she does. Pointless, helpless victim. Pushy, narcissistic men. Overly complicated conspiracy that's staying too nebulous to draw you in to even care how it turns out.
They keep talking genocide. If someone doesn't get their arse in gear and start doing important plots things where the reader can see them (instead if this lame "I have to go away for a week and I'll never tell you what I did but it's really a key piece of the win at the end so just do that submission thing and trust me you'll get it in the end..."). I'll be ready to kill them all myself. I don't bail on books as a rule, but I'm gonna have a low threshold for hitting the delete button if a real story doesn't suddenly appear.
She won't (she says), but she does. Pointless, helpless victim. Pushy, narcissistic men. Overly complicated conspiracy that's staying too nebulous to draw you in to even care how it turns out.
They keep talking genocide. If someone doesn't get their arse in gear and start doing important plots things where the reader can see them (instead if this lame "I have to go away for a week and I'll never tell you what I did but it's really a key piece of the win at the end so just do that submission thing and trust me you'll get it in the end..."). I'll be ready to kill them all myself. I don't bail on books as a rule, but I'm gonna have a low threshold for hitting the delete button if a real story doesn't suddenly appear.
September 3, 2015
I'm really frustrated with this series. There are so many secrets and NO ONE but the author knows what they are!!! Everyone has some agenda but no one wants to tell US, the readers!!!
Michel the priest/vampire, Julian the knight/vampire, Vasily, Ed (was this his name), Soren, the priest that's the head of the "Council" all speak in some code that no one could possibly understand. Can you TELL how frustrated I am with this series.
I've already started the next book and...here we go again!
Tell us what the EFF is happening already! Is there a last book in the works or am I reading these books only to be left hanging?
Read the and let met know what the hell is happening...PLEASE!
Michel the priest/vampire, Julian the knight/vampire, Vasily, Ed (was this his name), Soren, the priest that's the head of the "Council" all speak in some code that no one could possibly understand. Can you TELL how frustrated I am with this series.
I've already started the next book and...here we go again!
Tell us what the EFF is happening already! Is there a last book in the works or am I reading these books only to be left hanging?
Read the and let met know what the hell is happening...PLEASE!
August 2, 2012
The 2nd in the series by S. E. Lund is just as amazing as the first book. So many twists, really kept your attention wondering what is going to happen next. Again, love Michel and Julien...just LOVE them!! Can't wait for the 3rd book!!
September 10, 2012
Wow loved this book, it had me hooked from start to finish. Full of love lust and action. After reading the 2nd book i still cant choose who is my favorite vampire twin brother Julien or Michel!!
I cannot wait for the next book to see where this story will end.
I cannot wait for the next book to see where this story will end.
October 7, 2012
After finishing Dominion, I immediately jumped into book 2. I couldn't put it down. Lots of unexpected twists & of course, a lot of lust! It is a must read, & I will be first in line to buy book 3.
November 30, 2016
I just love this series and can't get enough of it!!! You want to love Julien and hate him at the same time. It's time for Eve to toughen up a bit and get her head out of the clouds!
July 30, 2017
I have some issues with this book. It's got some good basics to it. But I feel like the author is just not focusing on the right thing. I think the story line of the war, the Big Bad Master Vampire that desperately wants Eve, The Council, are all good ideas. She just doesn't move those plots in a forward, meaningful way. We know nothing more about any of them than we did from the first book.
Plus, Eve is not much of a heroine. She's easily dominated, scared and indecisive. Hard to root for a heroine with those traits. Especially when you're constantly trying to give her dialogue that she should be saying and she's not.
The two main vampires also did not evolve into more developed characters this book. They were exactly the same in personality and in action. Do it but never explain it. Like I'd go for that if I were Eve. Quite frustrating.
However, I can't leave a book unfinished and I picked up the 5 book set, so I will finish all 5. Despite what I have said above, there are some good bones to this book. And I am genuinely curious to find out how it ends.
Plus, Eve is not much of a heroine. She's easily dominated, scared and indecisive. Hard to root for a heroine with those traits. Especially when you're constantly trying to give her dialogue that she should be saying and she's not.
The two main vampires also did not evolve into more developed characters this book. They were exactly the same in personality and in action. Do it but never explain it. Like I'd go for that if I were Eve. Quite frustrating.
However, I can't leave a book unfinished and I picked up the 5 book set, so I will finish all 5. Despite what I have said above, there are some good bones to this book. And I am genuinely curious to find out how it ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2019
It's really tiring being in Eve's head. Reading in first person narration has this problem, and with dear Eve who lies to herself continually, it's actually boring and borderline stupid. But a known masochist I am and I will continue this series, cause I just have to get it done.
Eve is stupid, naive. Julien is hot and cold and he needs to make his damn mind. Michel is lost, but not, but dear old Eve can't stop saying "Oh Michel this, or Michel that". Give us a bloody break.
The book was absolutely boring till 88% of it. Then in that last 12% the author just dumped a lot of information, without any coherency. Really, sometimes I don't get it. Better editing would have helped. Also not killing characters without concrete reasons would help, but what do I know. It's not like I read about 1000 romance books or something- most of them dark and/or paranormal.
I will continue reading unfortunately.
Eve is stupid, naive. Julien is hot and cold and he needs to make his damn mind. Michel is lost, but not, but dear old Eve can't stop saying "Oh Michel this, or Michel that". Give us a bloody break.
The book was absolutely boring till 88% of it. Then in that last 12% the author just dumped a lot of information, without any coherency. Really, sometimes I don't get it. Better editing would have helped. Also not killing characters without concrete reasons would help, but what do I know. It's not like I read about 1000 romance books or something- most of them dark and/or paranormal.
I will continue reading unfortunately.
September 20, 2018
Average
This story really felt disconnected for me - writing and flow were fine - but for some reason nothing that happened pulled me in.
Eve came across as a bit of immature brat - really could t find a way to like her character.
Julien was harsh and selfish - and seemed to want to own Eve and never claimed to have any feeling for her.
Michel - seemed to have his own agenda and his feelings for Eve never seemed real - came across as a mediocre actor in a bad play.
Overall, just don’t think this series is for me. I honestly couldn’t wait to be finished with it. Again, just my opinion but I don't know if I will be continuing this series.
This story really felt disconnected for me - writing and flow were fine - but for some reason nothing that happened pulled me in.
Eve came across as a bit of immature brat - really could t find a way to like her character.
Julien was harsh and selfish - and seemed to want to own Eve and never claimed to have any feeling for her.
Michel - seemed to have his own agenda and his feelings for Eve never seemed real - came across as a mediocre actor in a bad play.
Overall, just don’t think this series is for me. I honestly couldn’t wait to be finished with it. Again, just my opinion but I don't know if I will be continuing this series.
October 25, 2017
I didn't actually finish this but I got 97% of the way through so I am counting it. I just couldn't deal with this book any longer. There were so many WTF moments, far too many to count in this tiny review. Eve is an annoying character and Julien and Michel are complete a-holes. I can't...I just can't stomach it any longer. And there were 5 of these books???
February 24, 2021
Oh my goodness!!
I can't believe this. He didnt, but he did. The ending was so good and I can't wait for the next book in the series. This series has just sucked me in and I don't want to sleep, eat, or go to work -- I just want to read. Eve and Michel...my my.. And what has happened to Julien. I can't wait to find out. Wonderful story!
I can't believe this. He didnt, but he did. The ending was so good and I can't wait for the next book in the series. This series has just sucked me in and I don't want to sleep, eat, or go to work -- I just want to read. Eve and Michel...my my.. And what has happened to Julien. I can't wait to find out. Wonderful story!
March 30, 2018
Excellent!
Wonderful story. Vivid images. Characters the reader is destined to fall in love with. The end left me wanting more. Can't wait to read book 3.
Wonderful story. Vivid images. Characters the reader is destined to fall in love with. The end left me wanting more. Can't wait to read book 3.
December 26, 2022
🔸3.5 stars🔸
November 4, 2016
I read the first book in the series I didn't love it but I was interested enough to read the second one, that was just downright painful I had to practically drag myself through this book, Eve was so annoying like a two year old who couldn't decide what flavor lollipop she wanted, one minute she wants to know everything the next she wants to die, she's in love with Michel but after some procrastination decides she's falling in love with Julien, then Michel returns and she completely forgets Julien and she's so in love with Michel, like I said she's like a fickle two year old, she can so easily turn of the feelings she has for one man and turn it on for another then turn it of again and on again I don't think I'll be torturing myself reading the rest of this series, Michel is meh, a former priest who begs god for forgiveness after having sex with a woman he claims to love and even goes so far to tell her that, certainly if that was me the only way he was seeing my ass is as I was walking away from him, Julien I like a little he's hardcore and honest. Oh and did I mention how much Eve is like a two year old, she wanted to know about the piece of clay that Soren gave her, Vasquez refused to give her the information and fired her sorry ass, than a former co-worker risks himself to give her some notes about said piece of clay and she just puts it away to read when she's bored, I mean how much more shallow can she be. I mean she was absolutely spineless in this book, I haven't read anything else by this author so I have nothing else to compare these books too but honestly I will not be picking up any books written by her anytime soon, maybe I'll read something when I'm bored and have nothing to do which is going to be like never, this was just a bad piece of literature all round.
September 7, 2015
Actually 4.5stars.
I enjoyed this one much more than book one. This installment starts immediately after book 1 as Eve is recovering from a blow to the head. Once again I find myself liking all the characters except Eve. Things have changed since book one where Eve was all about Michel because this time around Julien is the twin on deck and while she fights him initially we are given an opportunity to see him up close and personal. While I find Eve more of the character I expected from the outset I would still like her to be stronger and for me I appreciated her interaction with Julien more than her interaction with Michel – for me it was more believable.
The plot, storyline characters and pacing are all excellent and work together to keep the book fast paced and moving smoothly. Julien’s actions cause enough suspense to keep this installment from seeming like a “middle child”. The skill with which tidbits of the book, SCU, the council, and the treaty are dropped makes this read very had to put down. The unexpected twists keep you reading so furiously your eyes will blur as they lead you to the cliffhanger which is worth stars on its own.
I enjoyed this one much more than book one. This installment starts immediately after book 1 as Eve is recovering from a blow to the head. Once again I find myself liking all the characters except Eve. Things have changed since book one where Eve was all about Michel because this time around Julien is the twin on deck and while she fights him initially we are given an opportunity to see him up close and personal. While I find Eve more of the character I expected from the outset I would still like her to be stronger and for me I appreciated her interaction with Julien more than her interaction with Michel – for me it was more believable.
The plot, storyline characters and pacing are all excellent and work together to keep the book fast paced and moving smoothly. Julien’s actions cause enough suspense to keep this installment from seeming like a “middle child”. The skill with which tidbits of the book, SCU, the council, and the treaty are dropped makes this read very had to put down. The unexpected twists keep you reading so furiously your eyes will blur as they lead you to the cliffhanger which is worth stars on its own.
March 15, 2015
I enjoyed Book 2 in this series even though it was, in my opinion, less intensely erotic than Book 1. I enjoyed the "need to know" approach the twin vampires took with the [always weeping, immature, foolish] heroine, Eve. In taking this approach, the Reader was allowed room to look for clues and deduce the outcome/answers. It was very much like a mystery, which I find delightful. I also enjoyed reading about Eve's relationship with Julien - different in many ways from her relationship with Michel. It was very satisfying to learn and read about the transformation! Loved that aspect of the developing story! After I finished "Ascension", I immediately began reading book 3, "Retribution", which is something I only do if I really find a book in the series compelling. [Note: As much as I loved the first 4 books of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I did not continue reading the entire series beyond the first few books because I wasn't compelled to by the end of book 4.]
February 23, 2016
Not bad, but
I love to get lost in a great book. On the flip side, grammatical errors and awkward language use are like a bucket of cold water that wakes me from a dream. It is a really big peeve for me. I stuck it out through two books because the story has a lot of potential, but it never quite gets there. And, to be honest, it bugs me that after two books, Eve continues to leave her cats alone for months at a time, visiting them briefly, changing food and water, but never cleaning a litter box as far as I can tell, and she never tells us what her cats' names are or what they look like. So I am getting off the bus here, this is my stop. Maybe other readers who are less distracted by the mistakes will enjoy this book, but, for me, life is too short to read annoying books.
I love to get lost in a great book. On the flip side, grammatical errors and awkward language use are like a bucket of cold water that wakes me from a dream. It is a really big peeve for me. I stuck it out through two books because the story has a lot of potential, but it never quite gets there. And, to be honest, it bugs me that after two books, Eve continues to leave her cats alone for months at a time, visiting them briefly, changing food and water, but never cleaning a litter box as far as I can tell, and she never tells us what her cats' names are or what they look like. So I am getting off the bus here, this is my stop. Maybe other readers who are less distracted by the mistakes will enjoy this book, but, for me, life is too short to read annoying books.
November 15, 2012
In Ascension, S.E. Lund beckons readers with the story she started in Dominion. This tale is dark and fast moving, with satisfying plot twists that make it quite the page-turner. S.E. Lund has learned her craft well.
Eve, Michel and Julien are the focus again, much to the pleasure of those who followed them through the first book. All three of them are multi-dimensional characters, well described. Eve is a little less than the others, but Lund definitely takes her development further with this book than she did in Dominion.
Another sumptuous meal from Lund, following on the heels of Dominion. Her cliff hangers always leave the reader salivating for the next book!
Eve, Michel and Julien are the focus again, much to the pleasure of those who followed them through the first book. All three of them are multi-dimensional characters, well described. Eve is a little less than the others, but Lund definitely takes her development further with this book than she did in Dominion.
Another sumptuous meal from Lund, following on the heels of Dominion. Her cliff hangers always leave the reader salivating for the next book!
January 19, 2013
Ascension had so many different elements to it, it's hard to pinpoint my feelings, exactly. I know I loved it better than Dominion. We get to spend quite a bit of time with Julien... I won't say that we "get to know" him, exactly, but we do get a glimpse of how different he is from Michel & how much his relationship with Eve differs from Michel's relationship with her, as well. There are highly emotional times in book 2, as with book 1... Maybe even more so & some twists that make you go "hmm..." Book 2 is the same as book 1, in the sense that, as more mysteries are revealed, more questions arise & it makes you begging for more. Then, there's the end of the book.... Wow... Just wow! I loved it!
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