Blackened by Christina Jade Loren

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Blackened
Author: Christina Jade Loren

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Publisher: Breathless Press

Genre: Gay/Erotic/Paranormal

Length: 22 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:

Cover: 4-I like the mood the cover creates with the dark, moon-filled sky. The cover model is not only cute but obviously a vampire, so the reader knows right away that it’s a vamp story.

Presentation: 4-Easy to read and understand. A page and a ½ blank at the beginning so you have to scroll to find the start of the story, which isn’t marked in any way.

Editing: 4-Easily read. A few grammatical errors only.

Story: 3-While I liked both romantic characters, the conflict was flimsy and easily resolved with a simple conversation at the end, which left me feeling let down. The resolution reminded me of an after-school special, preaching on the dangers of addiction and failure to communicate with your significant other. When the after-school special resolution ends, the characters jump right into a rough sex scene, and I felt disoriented by the mood/tone change.

Writing Ability: 3-The author does a good job expressing the characters’ thoughts and emotions when they are alone. However, when the characters are together, the action and dialogue reads choppy and emotionless in places. Weak plot and minimal setting.

Reviewed by: Karmyn Klein

About The Book: Damien loves every aspect of his life as a vampire, except feeding time. That’s when his conscience decides to turn on, and he must face his dark cravings—alone. He had it all under control until Nathan disappeared one night. Damien’s control is slipping on the beast inside, and he needs Nathan now more than ever. If only he didn’t suspect his lover of betrayal.

Two battles must be fought. One of the heart, and one of the soul. Will Damien’s fear become a reality, and the urge to kill blacken his heart before Nathan can bring him home?

The Review: Blackened, third in a series, begins with a jolt of adrenalin as Damien, a newly made vampire, fights the urge to kill his human meal. Feeling the absence of his lover, Nathan, he struggles to do what’s right when everything feels wrong.

While Damien is likable, Nathan is a dark, conflicted character, emotionally and physically distant throughout much of the story. However, through Damien the reader can see and feel a past filled with love for Nathan and hope for the same in the future.

A fast and easy read with strong characters who live in an interesting world but lacking a strong plot with an exciting/fulfilling ending. Both of Damien’s problems—trouble controlling his urge to kill while drinking blood and the doubts about his relationship with Nathan—are easily resolved by simply having a short, quick conversation with his lover.

The erotic sex scene that follows the resolution between Damien and Nathan wasn’t the emotionally fulfilling make-up sex I was expecting but, instead, felt more like a rough-and-tumble quickie the couple might have any other day. Despite this, the strong likable characters make Blackened worth reading, and I look forward to more of Loren’s stories.

Pagan Elements: N/A

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