This will be another short but quickie review as this isn't a full length and doesn't have a full romance in it.

So this book basically continues on from "Pure Darkness" and we see more background behind "The Creature" (aka Erebu) and his connections to the "Pure/Dark Ones". This is the book that made Creature be fully redeemed for me. We understand what he has done, but we also see that the "mistress" is the true evil behind everything and has manipulated him in the worst of ways. But seeing him connect with his family members was so endearing. And we also got some Dragon lore enter into the story so I am very grateful some of you convinced me to pick this one up. I really want to read his book so bad, but *sigh* I gotta get to Sophie's book first. (I apologize maybe her books I will actually love her haha but she is just a character I haven't felt invested in). Don't worry I will read these in order.

The family connections that are built in this story is what really did it for me. Just seeing the way that they see the good in this poor soul that has been through hell and back and just accept him as he is and then what we see in the final battle scene at the end was really intense and poor Dalair. I really had a blast with this one. I really want Erebu to find a partner, he really deserves to find some happiness.

Overall I had a blast with this one here, and Aja James never ceases to impress me and very eager to continue on with the series and get to the final 2 books. ( )

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much, AJ!

This novella packs quite a punch for such a shortie. It’s a gem for all the Creature fans out there. I guess I should call him Erebu now, though. I am SO PROUD my baby is finally coming into his own and building up some confidence. It’s a slow and arduous process (and will it be enough…?), but you have to start somewhere. It’s high time he realized how beautiful and precious he is. He sees good in everyone but himself!

Pure Requiem wrecked me from the very first pages. Erebu’s nonchalant, self-depreciating remarks were so fucking painful to read. When he called himself a ‘thing,’ a ‘collection of holes’ for other people’s use, etc, I wanted to SCREAM. It made me think that maybe it’s actually not a bad thing that AJ doles out his story in such small increments, because let’s face it — any more of this would simply kill us (those smart enough to love him, anyway).

It’s much more that just Erebu’s story, though. Tal’s own POV adds another layer of PAIN on top of it. These two are some of the most damaged characters I’ve ever come across. EVER. The scene where they talked about Tal’s horrible scars was one of my favorite father-son interactions. Tal’s been extremely proud and strong all his life, and not even millennia of captivity under Anunit’s cruel thumb were enough to change that. But his pride and strength were also the very things that made him hide his anguish for years, even in front of his loved ones. Everyone treats him as an equal, but at the same time tiptoes around his trauma, not realizing they’re just making things worse. The only one blunt enough to broach the subject is his son. Why? Because he’s one of the only people who suffered a similar fate, and he’s fully capable of recognizing Tal’s pain without insulting him with pity. Ishtar’s the other one.

I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but I’m not afraid to say that as much as Tal grew on me since Pure Rapture, there are just some things I can’t tolerate, and that includes some aspects of his relationship with Ishtar. Tal is a remarkable male, I’ll give him that. I’ve never seen a more perfect example of tough, unapologetic masculinity. He went through unspeakable torment, and that inner strength was probably the only thing that saved him from succumbing to insanity. It’s pretty clear that his bond with Ishtar is his lifeline now. That’s why the way he treats her, speaks to her, even thinks of her sometimes, is so incomprehensible to me! That woman keeps doing everything she can to help him, going so far as to belittle her own extreme trauma — she suffered for YEARS, tortured and raped by humans in much the same way as her Mate, only for a shorter period of time (is there a sliding scale, really?) — and still, I feel like Tal is punishing her for things she had NO CONTROL over, and she just takes it. EVERY. TIME! He’s lashing out — and I get that, he needs it — but why at her, the wonderful woman who loves him so much? Sorry, but that is one unhealthy relationship dynamic.

Wow, somehow my review evolved into an impromptu analysis of Tal’s character… Not what I had in mind!

Anyway! Reading about Erebu’s reconciliation with his dad from two different perspectives was the bomb. These two understand each other on such a deep level, it’s unreal. It’s imperative that they spend more time together and make up for all the lost time. They bring out the best in each other. The same can be said for Benji, although that child is on an entirely different level. Inanna and Gabriel can dream on (okay, that’s unfair to all the adoptive parents out there, but I’m taking about a BOOK, not RL), that precious boy is Erebu’s son through and through. Such a pure, beautiful soul. And so smart, too. Sees through all of his father’s bullshit.

Being as fiercely protective as I am of Erebu, it’s not surprising that I’m not a fan of Liv. After what she’d done to him in Pure Darkness, I wanted to KILL her, and I can’t say that my opinion of her improved much after that convenient ‘explanation’ she gave Ere. What kind of person reacts like that to a friend’s cry for help? Her previous experience with shapeshifters is no excuse for the horrible way she treated him. He might’ve forgiven her, but I won’t. He’s much too soft for his own good, anyway.

And don’t even get me started on that ending. That was some EPIC battle! As to what happened after that… Cliffies are par for the course when it comes to this series, but this one was especially cruel! HOW in the world am I supposed to survive so long without knowing what happens next? CRUEL! ( )

5 Stars

I got to get my head on straight!
My brain is fried! My heart is still clenching.

Your going to need tissues, liquor & a Cold Shower!
Some of the steamiest scenes EVER! Ishtar & Tal set the pages of fire.
The Creature (Erebu) breaks your heart.
There is even humor. Every emotion is in this story!
Poignant and enlightening.

There are revelations not only to us readers but also to Erebu and Tal.
They both go through soul wrenching reawakenings!

Best Series Ever!

And, That special part under 'Dear Reader'.....
"....And special thanks to Cecile Smits for recommending “Under Your Scars” by Godsmack....."
Probably means just as much to me as it does to my dearest friend Cécile Smits. Because I am the one who got her reading these & like me, she became instantly addicted. And now look at this! ( )