RAVAGED (Eternal Guardians 7.5) by Elisabeth Naughton-a review

Ravaged

ABOUT THE BOOK: June 9, 2015

Ari—Once an Eternal Guardian, now he’s nothing but a rogue mercenary with one singular focus: revenge.

His guardian brothers all think he’s dead, but Ari is very much alive in the human realm, chipping away at Zeus’s Sirens every chance he can, reveling in his brutality and anonymity. Until, that is, he abducts the wrong female and his identity is finally exposed. It will take more than the Eternal Guardians, more even than the gods to rein Ari in after everything he’s done. It may just take the courage of one woman willing to stand up to a warrior who’s become a savage.

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REVIEW: RAVAGED (Eternal Guardians 7.5) by Elisabeth Naughton is the latest installment in the 1001 Dark Nights novella series. This is rogue Argonaut warrior Ari (Aristokles), and nymph Daphne’s storyline. Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardians paranormal romance, fantasy series is based in Greek mythology, prophecy and history.

RAVAGED follows Daphne, a Siren in training, who has been tasked, by Zeus, to kill Aristokles. Ari currently lives in the human realm, and the stories reveal that Ari is a monster; a dark and dangerous rogue Argonaut, who out of revenge and grief following the murder of his first mate, tortures and kills the creatures responsible for her death-the Sirens. Daphne, not quite a Siren, must seduce and destroy Aristokles before she is allowed entry in the Siren caste. What ensues is the building relationship between Ari and Daphne, and the revelation that Ari’s acts of murder and destruction are not of his making.

Fifty years earlier, Ari faked his own death, leaving his son Cerek, and the other Argonauts to grieve the loss of their father and friend. But Ari’s disappearance was self-imposed as he was unable to control the need to kill the Sirens whenever they were in his presence. Daphne’s presence will help Ari focus on the need, and with her help, Ari and Daphne will uncover the truth behind Ari’s uncontrolled murderous rage.

Although a novella, RAVAGED, is a complete story: we learn about Daphne’s background, Ari’s history, and the gods of Olympus who play with the fates of man and beast. Several of the Argonauts make a cameo appearance including their leader Theron, as well as Argonauts Demetrius, Gryphon, Phineus and Titus. Half Breed ‘Misos’ Silas is introduced as Ari’s friend and ‘roommate’; and Daphne’s friend and Siren Sappheire, whose own understanding of the truth, finds another Siren in the human realm.

Elisabeth Naughton seamlessly blends Greek mythology with a modern timeline. There is romance and passion; betrayal and revenge; grieving and death. The characters are a mix of man and gods; daemons and beasts; Sirens, nymphs and Fates. Their stories are heartbreaking, passionate, and exciting. There is always a happily ever after-for now-because, well, Zeus always has another plan to create destruction and chaos, in the world of man.

Reviewed by Sandy

Eternal Guardians