PNR Review: Cloak and Silence (The League) Paperback

I've finished "Cloak and Silence" by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

CLOAK and SILENCE — SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION

One of the fiercest soldiers the Phrixians have ever produced, Maris Sulle has been an outsider from the moment he was born different from the rest of his family. He grew up with a secret that cost him everything — his birthright, his family, and his military career. In all his life, he’s only had one love, and he has sacrificed his own happiness to see his best friend reunited with the woman he loves. But now that his good deed is done, he feels lost and adrift. Even though they do their best to include him in their new family, Maris is once again on the outside looking in. Ture has spent his life hiding from everyone around him — his family, the world, you name it — while trying desperately to fit in. Badly hurt by everyone he’s ever known, he trusts no one except his own best friend. And honestly, he can’t understand why he trusts her. Nor can he believe her when she describes a loyalty between friends the likes of which he’s never seen. But when Ture is in his darkest hour, he’s saved by a hero he thought only existed in novels. A man who is every bit as scarred and mistrusting as he is — one who has no interest in being dragged into another relationship with anyone. Having spent his life as a living study of doomed relationships, Maris is well aware of the courtship and fiasco that invariably follows. Still, there is something about Ture he can’t resist. Something that won’t let him walk away when he knows he should. But when old enemies return to threaten them both, they either have to stand together or die alone.

About the Author

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than thirty million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.

Her books appear regularly at the coveted #1 bestselling spot. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Chronicles of Nick and Beladors. Since 2004, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga.

Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel and her Dark-Hunter novels are now a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins, and her Chronicles of Nick series is adapted by Yen Press. Her Dark-Hunters and Chronicles of Nick series are both soon to be major motion picture releases.


Product Details
Series: The League
Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (August 9, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1491089288
ISBN-13: 978-1491089286

My Review:

I wished this was a bit longer I thought it was too short!  

I really liked Maris when we were introduced to him as Darling Cruel's best friend and confidant.  I really wanted to learn about his past and we certainly did in this one (not a good one at that).

Loved that Ture is a chef and he successfully runs his own restaurant in spite of his past.  Glad that he got together with Maris they both deserve someone that loves them.

3/5

PNR Review: Born of Fire (The League, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Born of Fire" the 2nd book in her League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Product Description

In a universe where assassins make the law, everyone lives in fear — except for Syn. Born of an illicit scandal that once rocked a dynasty, he always knew how to survive on the bloodthirsty streets. But that was then, and the future is now.

Syn was raised as a tech-thief until his livelihood uncovered a truth that could end his life. He tried to destroy the evidence, and has been on the run ever since. Now trained as an assassin, he allows no one to threaten him. Ever. He is the darkness that swallows his enemies whole.

Shahara Dagan is the best bounty hunter in the universe. When Syn comes back on the radar, she’s the only one who can bring him to justice. There’s only one problem: Syn is a close family friend who’s helped out the Dagans countless times. But if she saves him, both of their lives will be on the line. Is Syn’s protection worth the risk? The only hope Shahara has is to find the evidence he buried long ago. Now it’s kill or be killed — and they, the predators, have just become the hunted.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1 Original edition (November 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312942311
ISBN-13: 978-0312942311

My Review:

Shahara Dagan is one of the best bounty hunters and she has accepted an assignment to bring in C.I. Syn to pay off her sister Tessa's medical bill.

Syn (aka Sheridan Digger Wade) is a trained assassin and has been on the run since he has discovered a truth that someone is determined to keep a secret.  Everyone believes he will be exactly like is father Irdian Wade a convicted killer.  He is surprised when he catches Shahara in his home and they engage in a fight which he subdues her.  They come to an agreement that she would cancel her contract to bring him in and they both go on their way.  But she betrays Sin and he is captured and tortured to an inch of his life.  When Shahara hears that Syn has been helping her brother Caillen and sister she realizes she has made a mistake.  She devises a way to break him out of jail and now both on the run.

I really loved Syn's character because even though he is an assassin he has a heart of gold and he helps people in need and really cares for family and friends.

Shahara on the other hand I didn't really like her character that much but I do admire that she learned skills how to take care of herself and took revenge on the person who hurt her.  I hated that she betrayed Syn without learning all the facts and delivered him to the enemies.

3/5

PNR Review: Born of Night (The League, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Born of Night" the 1st book in her League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Product Description

In the Ichidian Universe, The League and their ruthless assassins rule all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption.

Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades once turned his back on the League — and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target.

As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new threaten them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Original edition (September 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312942303
ISBN-13: 978-0312942304

My Review:

Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades is also known as Nemesis a dark and deadly warrior with a reputation as a ruthless mercenary.  He has a dark secret:  he's admired and dreamed about Princess Kiara a beautiful and famous dancer.  He's feelings for Kiara helps him accept a contract to protect her from death's harm any way possible.  Then he and his friends become hunted by her father's people and The League.

Princess Kiara has a death contract against her because her father refuses to be intimidated by his enemies.  She feels very safe with Nykyrian but she doesn't trust him or his friends at first but then eventually she realizes they are the good guys.

I really liked Nykyrian with his dark and violent past (I really felt for him regarding his childhood and all the hardship he went through) and how it made him the man he is today.  He's very caring and helps innocent people and only kills ones that deserve it.  I thought Nykyrian could do a lot better!

Kiara on the other hand I couldn't stand her with her opinions and the way she treated Nykyrian and his friends.  She's not a worthy heroine for Nykyrian.

 

4/5

PNR Review: Born of Ice (League, No 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Born of Ice" the 3rd book in her League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Product Description

In the Ichidian Universe, the League and its ruthless assassins continue to keep rule. But at what cost? Welcome back to the future and a whole new world.

Devyn Kell spent his life in service to the League until he learned of the double dealing and backstabbing that was costing innocent people their lives. Refusing to play those politics, he became a Runner — someone who makes sure planets get the weapons, medicine and supplies they need to survive. May the gods have mercy on any who get in his way, because he definitely won’t.

Alix Garran is a woman on the run from a past she can’t escape. Signing on to work for Devyn as a System’s Engineer, she finds a cause she can fight for — and a man she can respect. But as Alix’s past catches up to her, and Devyn’s old enemies turn lethal, they have to fight together or fall alone.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1 edition (December 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031294232X
ISBN-13: 978-0312942328

My Review:

This story is about Devyn Kell (notorious C.I. Syn and Sahara's son) and Alix Garran a civilian.  Devyn became a doctor and then joined a military group The League.  He left after an incident during a battle and now The League among other agencies want him dead.

Alix Garran, her younger sister and mother are arrested slaves.  Alix is sent to use her mechanical skills to get hired as Devyn's mechanic to win their freedom.  During her mission she realizes that Devyn and his crew aren't the bad guys that were described to her and she also falls hard for Devyn.

Alix reminds Devyn of his ex-fiance and he is extremely attracted to her.  He tries to keep his distance from

her and keep their relationship a working one but eventually gives into their mutual attraction.

There were some interesting characters especially Vik with his sarcastic remarks and it's always nice to see old friends from previous books making appearances.

4/5

PNR Review: Born of Silence (The League) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Born of Silence" the 5th book in The League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Product Description


In a universe where corruption and deception rule all aspects of life, sparks of rebellion threaten to ignite . . .

BORN OF SILENCE

As the Resistance leader, Zarya Starska's only goal is to topple the government that destroyed her entire family and left her penniless. Her biggest asset is a mysterious man known only as Kere.

But Kere has a dark secret. Born into a world that is as privileged as it is corrupt, his real name is Darling Cruel - and he is heir to the government Zarya wants to overthrow. No one has ever seen the real man behind the legend. No one except Zarya. But when she allows a weapon he designed to be used against his beloved sister, all bets are off.

Betrayed by the Resistance, Darling's goal is not only to reign, but to kill every Resistance member he can find. Zarya must stop Darling's reign of terror, but can she reach past his insanity to restore the hero who once fought by her side?


Product Details
Hardcover: 624 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446573310
ISBN-13: 978-0446573313

My Review:

Darling Cruel is the heir to the Caronese Empire but his uncle Arturo assassinated his father and committed fratricide.  Over a long period of time his uncle Arturo has brutally, physically and sexually abused him.  Darling has taken the abuse and pretended to be gay to keep his mother Natalie and his two younger siblings Drake and Lise safe.  He is now 28 years old and is still seen as a minor and controlled by his uncle. Darling has a dark secret - he's known as the legendary masked Sentella warrior Kere.  No one has seen this man unmasked except for Zarya.

Zarya Starska is the Resistance leader and her one main goal since her family has been killed is to destroy and annihilate the viscious family who killed them.  She has allied herself with Kere but when the Resistance capture him and treat him like a piece of meat (just like his uncle) he vows vengeance against them and his uncle.

Born of Silence is full of action, intrigue at every corner and romance.  Darling was an intriguing hero who shows signs of insanity at times but Zarya brings him back.  I'm glad that Darling has a great friend in Maris who is in love with him to take care care of him.   He wants Darling to be happy so he brings Darling and Zarya together to help work their problems out since he knows they love each other.

We see previous characters from the other books and I really like how they consider Darling as family.  Love their interactions.

4/5

Other books in series:

1.  Born of Night
2.  Born of Fire
3.  Born of Ice
4.  Born of Shadows
5.  Born of Fury - Apr 1, 2013


Thanks Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Born of Shadows (The League) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Born of Shadows" the 4th book in her League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Product Description

In a world where the League and its assassins rule, where betrayal and treachery are everywhere . . . the only survivors are those ones who are . . .

BORN OF SHADOWS

For Caillen Dagan, a defiant soldier of fortune, survival isn't a right, it's a brutal daily battle. Moving through the Ichidaian universe like a wraith, his brushes with the law and death are legendary. But when an act of rare heroism reveals his hidden birthright, he's forced into a world much more dangerous and cold-hearted than the bloody streets where he was raised-one of obscene wealth and lethal politics.

Ferocious and determined, Desideria serves as an official bodyguard for her queen. Born of questionable genetics, she will do anything to prove herself worthy of the weapons she carries and the position she's won by combat. But when she uncovers a ruthless plot to assassinate the queen and overthrow her country's government, Desideria is caught in the crosshairs.

With assassination contracts out on both of them, Caillen and Desideria must learn to fight together or die alone. And if they fail, their governments will fall into the hands of an unimaginable evil.

About the Author

In just two years, Sherrilyn Kenyon has claimed the #1 spot on national bestseller lists fifteen times. This extraordinary bestselling author continues to soar to the top of every genre she writes, including manga and graphic novels. With more than twenty-five million copies of her books in print in over thirty countries, her series include: The League, Dark-Hunter, Lords of Avalon, and Chronicles of Nick. Since 2004, she has placed over fifty novels on the New York Times bestseller list and her manga is an international bestseller. Proclaimed the preeminent voice in paranormal fiction by critics, Kenyon continues to blaze new trails that blur traditional genre lines

Product Details
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446573256
ISBN-13: 978-0446573252

My Review:

Caillen is an obnoxious jerk but a loveable one with an overly-healthy sex drive, but underneath his bad boy attitude he is such a sweetheart.  Loved the way he would protect his sisters and gladly strangle them anytime but would rip anyone else in two.  He is quick tempered and very stubborn.

Desideria is tough, smart, beautiful but has confidence issues. Since her father's death, she has lived with the constant criticisms of all of her female relatives and has received no love from anyone. She is as quick tempered and stubborn as Caillen.  Desideria comes from a society where women are warriors and are very violent.

This book was very fast paced from the first page to the last page and a lot is going on from the assassination attempts.

The constant bickering between Caillen and Desideria is very fun and fast paced.  Also loved the way the characters switched into easy bantering during live and death situations.

4/5

Books in Series:

1. Born of Night
2. Born of Fire
3. Born of Ice

Thanks Melanie from Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!