Keras (Guardians of Hades 7) by Felicity Heaton-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2020

Keras is darkness. It sustains him. It strengthens him. It offers relief from the pain born of his feelings for a goddess of Olympus, a bewitching and beautiful female placed beyond his reach—one who stole his heart and broke it. Centuries of enduring that pain have left him tired, and the temptation to surrender control to that side of himself grows each day.

Even when he knows that darkness will destroy him.

Enyo has regrets. Hundreds of them. But the one that has plagued her for centuries, is the moment that shattered her friendship with the firstborn of Hades and her own heart with it—a moment that changed her and set her on a new path. With the battle between the sons of Hades and the daemons turning more dangerous for the man she loves, she can no longer stand on the side lines.

It’s time for this goddess of war risk everything to fight for what she wants.

As the battle to save the Underworld and the mortal realm rages to dangerous new heights, will Keras be consumed by the darkness or will Enyo be the light that saves him?

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Sandy’s review: KERAS is the seventh instalment in Felicity Heaton’s contemporary, adult THE GUARDIANS OF HADES paranormal/fantasy romance series loosely based in Greek mythology, focusing on seven brothers- the sons of Hades and Persephone -banished to Earth to guard the gates to the Underworld. This is Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Darkness Keras, and goddess of war Enyo’s story line. KERAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order as the brothers struggle against an unknown enemy to keep the human world and the Underworld from colliding.

NOTE: The Guardians of Hades series is Felicity Heaton’s interpretation of, and does not follow, the actual Greek mythological family tree or events.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Keras and Enyo) KERAS follows the sons of Hades and Persephone as they continue to battle the daemons and otherworldly figures at the two remaining gates to the Underworld but with each subsequent closure of the previous gates, the brother assigned to the specific gate sacrificed his blood, a sacrifice wherein the blood is often ‘stolen’ in an effort to control the brothers from afar. Keras, as the Lord of Darkness struggles to keep the darkness under control, a growing darkness he, his brothers and his mother, blame on the loss of the only woman he has ever loved, but Keras’ battle with the darkness reveals a battle of another kind, an all too human battle with addiction and drugs. With a war on the horizon between the brothers and the daemons of the Underworld, the goddess of war Enyo believes it is time to seek out Keras, and offer her help, but in doing so sets a series of events into motion pushing Keras into a downward spiral of abuse and hatred aimed at our story line heroine. As the brothers prepare for war, Keras must come to terms with his addiction, and the darkness he has directed at the woman he loves.

KERAS is an action packed, fast paced story of family, betrayal, vengeance and war; a story about a fight for power and control; a tale about addiction, abuse, acceptance and blame. Felicity Heaton pulls the reader into an intense and dramatic story wherein our heroine must face the fall-out of two hundred years of heart break and regret. With the approach of war, Enyo’s presence is needed, for as the goddess of war, she is capable of so much more.

There is a large ensemble cast of creatures, gods and goddess from Greek mythology including Nyx and Thanatos, Enyo’s brother and god of war Ares; all of Keras’ brothers and their significant others as well as their parents Persephone and Hades. Enyo is a strong, female heroine who has been secluded from the man that she loves; Keras is a prince of the Underworld but struggles to control the darkness within. Thanatos’ story line is next.

There are some light moments interspersed throughout the story line- everything isn’t always heart breaking and dark. We are witness to the next generation of gods and goddess entering the world, as well as the rebuilding romance and relationship between our leading couple.

The story line premise is difficult at times as Keras loses control and attacks the woman he loves but saying that, our heroine purposely places herself in the direct line of fire in an effort to ‘lull’ Keras into a fight meant to ease the darkness and pain. As a fantasy story line, the heroine is immortal, a goddess with the ability to heal from the life-threatening wounds but for some readers, Keras’ actions may hit too close to home.

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Julie’s review: Oh I’m so happy to have read this book, and so sad the series is coming to an end….. but wait, the author has added another book or two to this series. Hooray!!

This series has been an absolute joy to read. The emotions it pulls out of you range from sadness to utter joy.

Keras is the last of the brothers to have his story told.
He’s the eldest of Hades sons, and has had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities, the daily caring and looking after his brothers. He reluctantly took on the role of leader. It’s what his father expected of him, and Keras would never let his father down.
He’s an emotionless god, they slow him down, and slowly he’s been closing himself off from his brothers. Not a good thing to do!
The continual battle to keep the gates to Hades realm safe, watching his brothers battle their own personal demons and not to be able to fix it. And then as one by one watching his brothers fall in love! He’s not jealous, he’s not sad, he’s not anything but numb!!

Enyo is the goddess of War, her brother Ares (yes, Hades son was named after that god) has always kept her safe, but that safety comes at a price! Being kept away from the only man she’s ever loved has caused her so much pain! But no more, she’s going to join the battle and not even her brother can tell her what to do…..

There is history between the main characters, and in the previous books we didn’t get a lot of information on them. But whenever her name was mentioned, Keras would storm away! And when she would visit his brothers and not him, that had to have hurt. So it’s great we finally get more on the pair. And it’s a great story of unrequited love, moments missed, opportunities that they let slip them by. Each believing they were only friends and nothing more!

We also get to find out what’s in the box he always carries with him. And it’s a big factor in this story…….

It’s a story of two lovers kept apart. Both yearning for one another, but both afraid to let anyone in.
It’s a story of addiction, and the ongoing battle to win.

It’s a story of good possibly triumphing over evil, but not without a price!!

As always the story is gripping, the emotions will have you on the edge of your seat. I could not put this book down.
The fight scenes as always are bloody and ferocious, intense and humorous in places. The interaction between the brothers is on point as usual, the witty one liners and quick comebacks are what make this book enjoyable.

Keras has been a dark horse from the very first book, giving just enough away to keep you hooked. And when he finally gets his story, it just about break your heart.

Enyo is a great character, very strong, but had so much taken from her. Eons of being put in her place had made her second guess herself.

But the one thing that didn’t change over the centuries……
Their love for one another….

But will love be enough to overcome the evil that is coming their way? The battle ahead is suddenly thrust upon them and allies quickly turn on one another!! Who can the brothers trust?

And can Keras overcome his darkness? Can he tell his goddess that she’s the only one in his heart? And can Enyo finally put her happiness before her brothers wants?

If you’ve picked up Keras without reading the previous books (why?) then you may feel a little behind (but you can read it) but if you’ve read the other books, then your in fkr a bumpy ride……

Julie ?

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ares
Valen
Esher
Marek
Calistos
Daimon

Copies supplied for review