This book started off very interesting! I love mythology-based stories, it gets even better when it's mentioned that one of the creatures that are part of this story are gargoyles. Having more obscure creatures be a big part of a story is amazing to see.

The writing style is a bit too descriptive for my taste but that was lessened by speeding up the audio narration. One thing the author does well is create tension and angst between Eve and Asher. There were some points where it could be cut with a hacksaw and it still would have taken some work. Though it got frustrating towards the end because it was never explained why they couldn't be a couple in the first place other than "that's a no-no".

Eve started off very innocent and sweet and I don't mean that as a compliment. There was bearly any spunk to her at all. Her friends dictated her life in terms of going out and "being social". Personally, I wanted her to have a bit more personality. When things started going it didn't get any better because everyone kept everything from her always. There were small tidbits here and there that she would overhear but it never made much sense because she didn't know any background on anything anyway. This trope of keeping the main character in the dark with the reader is one of the tropes that can go so wrong when not done properly. I think the story would have been better had this been executed better.

Asher was a mysterious and standoffish character that I disliked at first. His tender moments eventually overpowered his bad moments and I concluded that he was the lesser of two evils. It's implied that he's still keeping a big secret from Eve and I'm close to pulling my hair out in annoyance due to all the secrets making up this story. Can everyone ever get on the same page?!

I had an inkling that something was going to go wrong with their idiotic plan at the end. I wasn't surprised if I'm honest. Most of the girls Eve hung out with throughout the novel didn't really stand out to me. They all blurred into one, except the B with an itch whose name I don't care to remember (she can go die in a ditch somewhere for all she adds to the story).

The Audio Book:

I've seen a lot of criticism thrown this narrator's way and I have to disagree. I really enjoy her narrations! She has a good enough range where each character has a distinctive voice and accent, which means I don't get lost in conversations with 3+ people. Personally, she reads at a slower pace than I find comfortable so I fixed that by speeding the audio book up to x1.25. What we can take away from this narration is that taste is subjective and that's totally fine! Everything will not be for everyone!

Serenity is being with the one you love.

Despair is being kept apart.

After the rain comes the war.

What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours? For Serena St. Michael and Tristan Gallagher, this is reality. Tristan has accepted his impending nuptials. He’s returned to his realm and his betrothed. Their unification will create peace. Serena is still struggling with her protector’s choice. With a firm resolve, she will forsake her own future in order to save him. Their love will trigger an ancient war. Can Serena and Tristan rewrite their destinies? Or will the Vergina Sun prophecy be fulfilled, and the lovers fall to fate? Welcome back to the Royal Protector Academy.

Aequus is the second novel in the Royal Protector Academy series. This dangerously exciting and darkly romantic tale will take your breath away. It can be read as a stand-alone trilogy, or after the bestselling Revelation series. Intended for mature readers 18+ due to language, mild violence, and sexual situations.

#New_Adult, #Paranormal, #Romance