Showing posts with label Sylvain Reynard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sylvain Reynard. Show all posts

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Gabriel's Rapture (Gabriel's Inferno, #2) by Sylvain Reynard




My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 
    "I want to be your first and your last. I love you, Julianne. I offer you my heart and my life. Marry me. Be my wife, my friend, my lover, and my guide. Be my blessed Beatrice and my adored Julianne. Say you'll be mine. Forever."
 



I am smittened all over again!!
I am totally in love with Professor Gabriel Emerson!
I am now officially an Emerson addict!



I know I have tons of favorite books but this one.. Oh dear Lord!! It just sweeps me off my feet every fucking time! Everything about this book/series is just awesome.

The writing.
Gabriel Emerson.
The revelations.
Gabriel Emerson.
The characters.
Gabriel Emerson.
The fluidity of the story.
Gabriel Emerson.
The pace.
And last but not the least...
Gabriel Emerson!!!!

Oh did I just fail to mention that I am absolutely in love with Gabriel Emerson??!

Excuse my addictive rambling.
Let me give you a gist of the what Gabriel's Rapture is about.

THE GIST

They thought the hard part of their relationship was over.
They thought that now that they found each other again, everything was going to be perfect..



But they were wrong...
Things weren't as perfect as they think it was.

Gabriel and Julia spent their holiday in Italy where they were starting to discover the wonders of making love.


How every touch.
How every kiss.


How every movement affect both of them in wonderous ways.
And how every day, they found more reason for them to love each other.

But what was waiting for them back in the US was something they both weren't expecting.
Their past is slowly catching up to them.
Secrets are coming up in the open and there is nothing either of them could do about it.
Miscommunications.
Mistrust.

Will this trial make their relationship stronger or will it tear them apart forever?


LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

I'd have to say that I am so proud of Gabriel. He really showed how much in love he was with Julia and how much he was willing to change. *swoon* His actions and his words gripped me so many times. *swoon*


He moved me to tears. I remember the last time I cried this much was when I was reading the Fault in Our Stars and that is saying something.


Oh dear Gabriel! Take care of me instead!

Julia however disappointed me. At first she was okay, she seem to be the same girl I loved and adored on the first book but come the second half of the book, she was becoming a little bit annoying. She lacked trust.

 
    "You promised you'd never fuck me. But what about last night? No words, no I lovee you, not even a note or a text this morning. Is that all it was to you? A goodbye fuck?."


She said she loved Gabriel but I guess it wasn't enough for her to trust her. It's hard for a relationship to work if there is just love and no trust. That is a recipe for disaster and I guess which was exactly the case on this book. She didn't trust him to much and that hurt not only Gabriel but also herself.

I was disappointed with Julia but still I was happy with their relationship. I've had tons of favorite book couple but right now Julia and Gabriel are on the top of my list.



They were sensual in a very beautiful way. It was never too much nor too little. And when they make love, they really make love and not just sex. When there were sex scenes, you'll never once feel that it was just that for them. They were full of passion, love and complete surrender. As you read, you'll feel Gabriel's love exploding through the pages. You'll feel how much he worships and adores Julia which gets me really envious loads of times!!! What I wouldn't give to have my own Professor Emerson!!

Gabriel was a real revelation. There was a complete 360 degreespin to his character. Okay that was a bit of an exagerration. Lets say 300 degree spin. He still has those slight imperfections that are very handy at times especially when Julia's in trouble with people who couldn't seem to let her be happy. *not spoiling this one* Gabriel in this part would really blow you away and leave you breathless at least that's what he did for me. He was perfection.



I just love him. Absolutely love him! I bet you can tell by my last name. :)

FINAL VERDICT

What are my final thoughts on this?


This was just as amazing as the first one if not more. I couldn't still grasp on how beautiful it was written. In this book, there was just too many lines to quote, too many heartwarming scenes to memorize and note down. I really really loved it.

One of the things that I loved about this book were the antagonists. They are just devious. Especially Crista! If there was one person I would very much enjoy killing, it would be her. I even hated her than Natalie or Simon. At least Simon learned his lesson. Now he knows better than to mess with Gabriel's girl!! *swoon*

The thing I noticed about Mr. Reynard's books are the pacing. He hasten some parts and then slow down on some. It works for me really. I'm kind of having a heartattack a lot of the time when I feel that something should be happening but there's none. I was panicking. I was wondering what was going on with Gabriel and why did he do those things he did. Like Julia, I doubted for a little bit but I knew.. I knew there was an explanation.. And boy was I happy!! I was really really happy!


The story dealt about Gabriel and Julia sure but he made sure that the secondary characters have their share of the spotlight too. Like Natalie, Simon, Crista, Rachelle, Paul and Richard. All of them has their backstories told. Even though they weren't the main characters you'll see some scenes more focused on them that the 2 MCs.

So what else? Oh yeah did I ever tell you guys that I am absolutely smitted by Gabriel.


Oh did I say that already? Cool! I LOVE HIM!!! LOL. Yeah fine I'll shut up now.

For those of you who haven't read this yet.. PLEASE DO!! I'm begging you! I want to share with you guys this amazingly addicting and hypnotizing book. It's just amazing. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do.

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

REVIEW: Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1) by Sylvain Reynard





My rating: 5 of 5 stars


5 highly deserved hearts!!!




"Please let me go."

"I can't." He tugged her knapsack and her coat out of her hands and dropped them on the floor.

"I don't trust you."

"I know."

"You'll shatter me, Gabriel, and that will be the end of me."

"Never."


Gaaaaaaaahhhh!!!



This book is a masterpiece!
The way it was written was just out of this world. I don't think I've ever read anything written like it is.
Every line was lyrical. Every word said was magical.
I can't believe I put this book down twice without finishing...
I just couldn't contain my joy when I finally put this book to a close.



I was satisfied.
I was fulfilled.
It felt so damn good.
It was soo freakin' good.

Oh Professor Emerson!!



I love you... I'm smittened by you.

*Sigh*

THE GIST

Julia fell in love with an older man when she was younger. And for a while, she thought he loved him too.
They shared one special night in the orchard.
They slept.
But when she woke up...



Julia never thought she'd see him again.
Gabriel Emerson.
Six years ago, he was just the brother of her best friend and now... He's her professor in one of her graduate student classes..
They had a past but she was the only one who could remember.
He acted as if he hated her. As if he doesn't know her.
She was finally convinced that the Gabriel she now know is not the same Gabriel who she shared a past with.
That Gabriel was gone forever.
He only existed now in her dreams.

Gabriel's life was filled with sin.



His past is tainted and would only want to forget.
The only good thing that he could remember was that night with his Beatrice. His Beatrice. He thought she was a daze. A figment of his imagination.
But she wasn't.
His Beatrice was real.
Only that isn't really her name.
And she was close. Closer to him than he could ever imagine.
If only he could remember.

INTIAL REACTION

I actually thought I wasn't going to finish this book again. This was the third freakin' time I've had to read this book and I am thankful that I didn't give up on it.

First time I've read it. I got really really bored. Didn't get past chapter 1.
Second time I've read it. I still got bored. Didn't get past chapter 5. I think. LOL.
Third time.. Oh.My.Gosh!!! I loved it. Not sure what happened but hell I was happy I finished it!
It was the best book ever!! :)

MEET THE CHARACTERS

Julia Mitchell



*note: she should have brown eyes*

Oh Julia. I love her to bits. She has to be one of my favorite heroines ever.

Julia wasn't priviliged. She wasn't rich. She didn't grow up in a very good family. She has an alcoholic mother and a father who knows not how to take care of her. She had an ex-boyfriend who was an ass. She did however, have some sort of a adoptive family who had been good to her. The Clarks.

The thing I love most about Julia is how positive she was. Of course there were times when she just gave up all together on Gabriel (his own fault really...) because she waited far too long and she felt that she wasn't treated the way she should be treated.

There were times that I get really upset because of how Julia rejected help from people who really want to help her. She gets really angry when she feels that people are trying to help her because they feel sorry for her because she's poor or something like that.


"I don't think this is very professional, Professor Emerson. You're passing me thousands of dollars through bursary, however you managed to do it. It looks like you're trying to buy me."


I mean I get that she doesn't want to accept help because she doesn't want to owe anyone but still. She knew she needed that bursary. She could barely feed herself and that apartment of hers is no good either. That bursary was given to her because she deserved it not because Gabriel wanted her. Well he does but like I said, she deserved it because she was smart.

Professor Gabriel Emerson




Oh Hail the Professor of Hotness!!



I seriously didn't get what all the fuss was about this guy at first. Everyone seems to be crazy over him but during the first two times I've read this.. I was just rolling my eyes. I saw him as nothing but a hot-headed Dante professor who like to pick on new students. He may be a good looking professor but I didn't like that he embarassed Julia on the first day of class. As you read through the book you'll know why he had to do it though. LOL. A very funny reason too.

Okay. So what's so special about Gabriel? Well. He's damaged and I just totally adore stunning, damaged and redeemable characters. Oh boy! Did Gabriel really redeem himself!! I was swept away. I was head over heels. I was in cloud nine! Geez this guy. I just couldn't explain in words how absolutely amazing he is.

At first, yes, he was a total asshole. A total douche. I hated his perfectly molded gluteus! I hated that he was perfect but very rude, arrogant and condescending. I seriously didn't know what everyone saw in this guy!! One minute he was all serious and moody and BOOOOMMM.. He'll sweep you off your feet and take you to Paradise!!


"Being without you, Julianne, is like enduring an endless night without stars."


The way he chooses and uses words.. Oh dear God!


"When I am an old man and I can remember nothing else, I will remember this moment. The first time my eyes beheld an angel in the flesh."


THE ROMANCE

Julia + Gabriel= Steamy and Hot without even trying



What I like about Julia and Gabriel's relationship is that it was sexy without it being too much. The magic between them is very evident. Mind you, there wasn't really that much sex on this book until towards the end but for some reason how they talk to each other, how they thik about each other was erotic as it is so just imagine when you really get to the steamy parts.. It's even more erogenous.. gosh i don't even know how to describe it. LOL.

Both Julia and Gabriel had their fair share of secrets and past experiences that they'd rather forget. They also had their own trials to overcome. The good thing about this pair was that the other was willing to understand the other. They were willing to help each other grow.

But of course it was rough start for both of them.


"What was I supposed to do? You're an emotional rollercoaster, and I wanted to climb off. I never know whether you're going to be sweet and whisper something that takes my breath away or say something so fucking mean it breaks my..." She stopped herself.

Gabriel cleared his throat. "I apologize for being mean. There's no excuse for that."



They had their ups and downs. Their twists and turns. But in the end, what they had was real and they both knew it.

FINAL VERDICT

I just loved it. I will repeat it again and again and again! I have no shame in declaring my love for this wonderful novel. I have to say though that the writing is not for everyone. Some may grow tired of it after a while and may just drop the book at some point which is what happened to me.. Twice. You'll have to invest some time on this book but in the end you'll be glad you did.

So the things I loved are the characters. Definitely the characters because they were well defined and they developed too. They weren't one dimensional like some books nowadays. You'll see all sides of them: the good, the bad and the beautiful. LOL. yeah the ugly too.

I would have to comment though on the length of the book. It was too lengthy for me. I am the type of reader who gets bored easily and if the book doesn't go the way I want it to, I'll definitely put it down and read another book that would have a faster and more upfront plot line. This one had a slow-moderate-slow pacing. The beginning of the book was dragged on a bit. The mid part was actually where all the revelations and swoony part comes in. I was okay with its pace right there. Towards the end, it went back to being a bit too slow for my taste but then I get why it has to be that way.

It was like the author was making you crave knowing the ending. Like I said, it was a very sensual read without too much sex. I think the very pace of the book itself was like making love. You start it out slow, then you hasten your pace a bit and then go back slow. Of course not everyone makes love the same way but you guys get what I mean right? With the whole pace and stuff? Yes? No? LOL.

Oh and another thing, I've always been entralled by the story of Dante's Inferno. It's a favorite of mine. And its mixture to the story is what added its appeal to me. The feel of the literature in the pages of another literature amazes me.

I loved how this book ended. You know that there is a sequel but then the book didn't made you feel that it has. It didn't end with a cliffhanger "THANK GOD FOR BEING SO GOOD!". Honestly, cliffhangers are just annoying which is why I usually have problems finishing series. It annoys me that I have to wait for the next book to come out sometimes and that it will take months or years sometimes for the next book. Cheers to you Sylvain Reynard for not being a killjoy and making a good ending for this!



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