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Dark Cravings
The hunter will become the hunted...
I’m a monster. I’ve done things that can’t be undone. Things that can never be forgiven.
When I saw him, I thought he was an avenging angel who had come to punish my sins.
Instead, he captured me and brought me into his world of saints and hunters. Righteous predators who prey on monsters like me, using the power of the cursed blood that runs through our veins.
I’ll do whatever it takes to become one of them. I'll give him my blood, my body, and my soul. Whatever it takes to prove to Castor that I can be more than the bloodthirsty beasts he hunts, and stand at his side as his partner.
Even if I want to be so much more than that.
When my sire comes to collect what's his, everything I thought I knew about my monstrous nature is called into question. But it might just explain the dark cravings Castor's touch awakens within me.
Author's Note: Dark Cravings is the first book in Hunters of the Church, a Dark MM Paranormal Romance series. Each book follows a different couple, but the series should be read in order. Please see the author's website for content notes.
I’m a monster. I’ve done things that can’t be undone. Things that can never be forgiven.
When I saw him, I thought he was an avenging angel who had come to punish my sins.
Instead, he captured me and brought me into his world of saints and hunters. Righteous predators who prey on monsters like me, using the power of the cursed blood that runs through our veins.
I’ll do whatever it takes to become one of them. I'll give him my blood, my body, and my soul. Whatever it takes to prove to Castor that I can be more than the bloodthirsty beasts he hunts, and stand at his side as his partner.
Even if I want to be so much more than that.
When my sire comes to collect what's his, everything I thought I knew about my monstrous nature is called into question. But it might just explain the dark cravings Castor's touch awakens within me.
Author's Note: Dark Cravings is the first book in Hunters of the Church, a Dark MM Paranormal Romance series. Each book follows a different couple, but the series should be read in order. Please see the author's website for content notes.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2022
About the author
Joel Abernathy
43 books1,143 followersJoel Abernathy, also writing as L.C. Davis, is a trans author of MM romance. He enjoys writing dark and emotional romance about men loving men in all genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 3, 2023
OK, I'm just gonna say it : welcome back Joel! Finally I can see the guy who wrote exhale back. This was darkish, raw, not everyone was the good guys or tried to be. You have moral gray areas, characters with flaws, the love connection wasn't instantly, it evolved, and I just love it! Really hope this series continue! This book deserves a lot more love!
Read
September 28, 2023DNF @ 21% - there is literally nothing wrong with this book. It’s just me slumping.
April 6, 2023
Y'all were LIARS when you said Castor had a personality change midway through this book.
HE GOT A PERSONALITY CHANGE AT 77% PEOPLE. So, that's practically at THE END.
Okay but me hoping castor would get a personality change was the only reason why I continued reading this book.
And I mean, it wasn't that drastic okay. Like I noticed him softening bit by bit like: on a scale of 1 in douchebag out of 10 in tsundere, Castor's character development was like 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.3, and so on.
So when we reached like 70% of the book, he was like a solid 6 out of the douchebag scale, which is PRETTY GOOD.
But when we hop in 77% when THAT happened, he turned a 6 point asshole to a 8 point tsundere.
.... Passable.
I guess that's where people are saying he got a personality transplant, and I get it. But it's not entirely accurate that Castor's character changed overnight (which is what I expected). If you pay attention to the details, especially behind the miniscule and itty bitttttyyyyy amount of care in his words throughout the book, Castor's character development is natural (ish).
Overall, I started this for Castor but I stayed for Marius and Arrow man.
And let me tell you How much I DID NOT LIKE ARROW, THAT BASTARD at the beginning of this book, but man: he psycho and me likey and I can just imagine Bratty Arrow and Marius Scolding him and 😫😫😫😣😣😣 I NEED THEIR STORY NOW 😭😭😭😭
anyways,
initial thoughts: my head is empty because ALL I NEED IS ARROW AND MARIUS' STORY NOW!!!!! WHY ISN'T IT OUT YET!????!!!!
HE GOT A PERSONALITY CHANGE AT 77% PEOPLE. So, that's practically at THE END.
Okay but me hoping castor would get a personality change was the only reason why I continued reading this book.
And I mean, it wasn't that drastic okay. Like I noticed him softening bit by bit like: on a scale of 1 in douchebag out of 10 in tsundere, Castor's character development was like 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.3, and so on.
So when we reached like 70% of the book, he was like a solid 6 out of the douchebag scale, which is PRETTY GOOD.
But when we hop in 77% when THAT happened, he turned a 6 point asshole to a 8 point tsundere.
.... Passable.
I guess that's where people are saying he got a personality transplant, and I get it. But it's not entirely accurate that Castor's character changed overnight (which is what I expected). If you pay attention to the details, especially behind the miniscule and itty bitttttyyyyy amount of care in his words throughout the book, Castor's character development is natural (ish).
Overall, I started this for Castor but I stayed for Marius and Arrow man.
And let me tell you How much I DID NOT LIKE ARROW, THAT BASTARD at the beginning of this book, but man: he psycho and me likey and I can just imagine Bratty Arrow and Marius Scolding him and 😫😫😫😣😣😣 I NEED THEIR STORY NOW 😭😭😭😭
anyways,
initial thoughts: my head is empty because ALL I NEED IS ARROW AND MARIUS' STORY NOW!!!!! WHY ISN'T IT OUT YET!????!!!!
September 17, 2022
"A rush of breath left me, and I lost control. That was painfully easy around him. He was my weakness and my strength. A delicious paradox."
I always enjoy a Joel Abernathy book and Dark Cravings was no exception. Dark Cravings is the first book in the Hunters of the Church series and this is Eddie and Castor's story.
Eddie is a wolf-shifter and Castor is a hunter of the Sanguine Church run by Father Marius, with a mission to eliminate those vampires and wolves who prey on the innocent. The hunters inject themselves with filtered vampire and wolf blood to make them stronger, faster and 'more' than the beasts they hunt. Their nemesis church (of sorts) is the Order, which is run by Marius' twin sister Mother Cerise. The Order keep their blood pure, but make use of their other 'gifts' of psychic abilities to help them in the hunt. Treachery and betrayal abounds between these arms of the Church.
When Eddie is captured to be used as a 'blood bank' for the hunters and Castor is tasked with the job of training him to be a hunter himself, their enemies/student/teacher relationship turns into sooo much more and both have to challenge their beliefs and choices as part of their character arcs.
The steam is hot but also reasonably slow-burn to love, although the insta-lust is apparent.
The author creates a great paranormal/urban fantasy world and the side characters are also book-worthy too - I can't wait to read Arrow's story next.
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I always enjoy a Joel Abernathy book and Dark Cravings was no exception. Dark Cravings is the first book in the Hunters of the Church series and this is Eddie and Castor's story.
Eddie is a wolf-shifter and Castor is a hunter of the Sanguine Church run by Father Marius, with a mission to eliminate those vampires and wolves who prey on the innocent. The hunters inject themselves with filtered vampire and wolf blood to make them stronger, faster and 'more' than the beasts they hunt. Their nemesis church (of sorts) is the Order, which is run by Marius' twin sister Mother Cerise. The Order keep their blood pure, but make use of their other 'gifts' of psychic abilities to help them in the hunt. Treachery and betrayal abounds between these arms of the Church.
When Eddie is captured to be used as a 'blood bank' for the hunters and Castor is tasked with the job of training him to be a hunter himself, their enemies/student/teacher relationship turns into sooo much more and both have to challenge their beliefs and choices as part of their character arcs.
The steam is hot but also reasonably slow-burn to love, although the insta-lust is apparent.
The author creates a great paranormal/urban fantasy world and the side characters are also book-worthy too - I can't wait to read Arrow's story next.
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 7, 2022
Werewolves, vampires, shifters and more. This book had everything and it was awesome! I was wrapped up in this world from the first chapter and I cannot wait for the next book!
This is an enemies to lovers story and Castor definitely despises Eddie at first. Eddie is a shifter who since he was turned has not been able to shift from his wolf form. He’s out of control with his hunger so when a hunter is about to kill him he thinks that’s the best thing for him. Castor steps in and saves Eddie, taking him to the Abbey where they will use Eddie’s wolf blood for their hunter’s strength. Eddie feels being captured and held prisoner is a blessing since he will not be able to hurt anyone any longer.
Castor hates werewolves since they killed almost his entire family so he has committed his life to being a hunter. When he captures Eddie and the wolf becomes enamored with him he cannot be bothered. Once Eddie shifts back to his human form and he is forced to train him he tries to keep his distance and is very aloof and cold towards him.
I love that we get both sides here because Eddie is such a sweetheart and Castor may seem like a heartless bastard but we see his resolve crumble slowly towards Eddie. Their relationship is not conventional and it certainly doesn’t begin with romance but it was still so perfect in every way.
This was very unique compared to other shifter and paranormal stories. I cannot always read books with these elements because they become monotonous but this story was different. I love how Joel Abernathy creates the worlds for their books. There is a lot going on in the background that is still so much of the story but it doesn’t overtake the main story.
I loved the other characters, especially Arrow and Marius. I am now going to be sitting on pins and needles for the next book!!!! Each book follows a different couple.
**ARC provided for review
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
This is an enemies to lovers story and Castor definitely despises Eddie at first. Eddie is a shifter who since he was turned has not been able to shift from his wolf form. He’s out of control with his hunger so when a hunter is about to kill him he thinks that’s the best thing for him. Castor steps in and saves Eddie, taking him to the Abbey where they will use Eddie’s wolf blood for their hunter’s strength. Eddie feels being captured and held prisoner is a blessing since he will not be able to hurt anyone any longer.
Castor hates werewolves since they killed almost his entire family so he has committed his life to being a hunter. When he captures Eddie and the wolf becomes enamored with him he cannot be bothered. Once Eddie shifts back to his human form and he is forced to train him he tries to keep his distance and is very aloof and cold towards him.
I love that we get both sides here because Eddie is such a sweetheart and Castor may seem like a heartless bastard but we see his resolve crumble slowly towards Eddie. Their relationship is not conventional and it certainly doesn’t begin with romance but it was still so perfect in every way.
This was very unique compared to other shifter and paranormal stories. I cannot always read books with these elements because they become monotonous but this story was different. I love how Joel Abernathy creates the worlds for their books. There is a lot going on in the background that is still so much of the story but it doesn’t overtake the main story.
I loved the other characters, especially Arrow and Marius. I am now going to be sitting on pins and needles for the next book!!!! Each book follows a different couple.
**ARC provided for review
**All thoughts and opinions are my own
September 3, 2022
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, but I absolutely loved it.
Vampires, hunters, shifters and a smouldering romance. What’s not to love. Also the gothic vibe was fantastic, really set an eerie and darkish world which was fascinating.
Beautiful shifter Eddie who is completely unaware of who he is and what he is capable of with the hunter who he is obsessed with, Castor, who is all broody and a commanding presence on the page. They just worked perfectly together.
This is a story where there is a solid plot and meaning that runs alongside the romance of the MCs. It was so damn good. Had a bit of everything and it was just written so well giving off the atmosphere and tension that you need in these kinds of stories.
I highly recommend this and look forward to the next book.
Vampires, hunters, shifters and a smouldering romance. What’s not to love. Also the gothic vibe was fantastic, really set an eerie and darkish world which was fascinating.
Beautiful shifter Eddie who is completely unaware of who he is and what he is capable of with the hunter who he is obsessed with, Castor, who is all broody and a commanding presence on the page. They just worked perfectly together.
This is a story where there is a solid plot and meaning that runs alongside the romance of the MCs. It was so damn good. Had a bit of everything and it was just written so well giving off the atmosphere and tension that you need in these kinds of stories.
I highly recommend this and look forward to the next book.
Read
September 2, 2022can't really rate this, as I WILL stop reading books if I see issues with the archetypes
Which is ironic because these characters actually illustrate my favorite character dynamic: a vengeful, princely twink / a badass, powerful man held captive by said twink.
The only author who's done this right has been C.S. Pacat, as in Captive Prince. The reader saw the vengeful man as outwardly hostile only because he is hiding an inner VULNERABILITY. Vice versa, the captive badass was outwardly subservient, but inwardly POWERFUL and COMPETENT, almost like he was humoring the man who held him hostage, and damn, the power play was just plain hot.
Here, the man in charge doesn't seem to have inward vulnerability, or if he does I wasn't enthralled enough to find out or care. The captive guy was just sniveling, puppy-dog, again with no layers.
Can't be too harsh, as authors like Jex Lane and Ariana Nash failed at this as well, imo, unable to reach the level Pacat has.
This wasn't working for me, as I'm so biased when it comes to these kinds of pairings, so I'm passing.
Which is ironic because these characters actually illustrate my favorite character dynamic: a vengeful, princely twink / a badass, powerful man held captive by said twink.
The only author who's done this right has been C.S. Pacat, as in Captive Prince. The reader saw the vengeful man as outwardly hostile only because he is hiding an inner VULNERABILITY. Vice versa, the captive badass was outwardly subservient, but inwardly POWERFUL and COMPETENT, almost like he was humoring the man who held him hostage, and damn, the power play was just plain hot.
Here, the man in charge doesn't seem to have inward vulnerability, or if he does I wasn't enthralled enough to find out or care. The captive guy was just sniveling, puppy-dog, again with no layers.
Can't be too harsh, as authors like Jex Lane and Ariana Nash failed at this as well, imo, unable to reach the level Pacat has.
This wasn't working for me, as I'm so biased when it comes to these kinds of pairings, so I'm passing.
September 4, 2022
3,5 stars. Thinking of giving it more but Castor’s redemption was a bit too sudden and Eddie was a bit too blinded by his lust and was kind of a doormat in the beginning. I liked the whole cold and bastard vs kind and innocent and for the first part it was done well but then we should have witnessed the change gradually not all of a sudden towards the end. The writing was better than this author’s last books though and I did enjoy reading it.
June 16, 2023
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN OMG. priest exorcist x werewolf. Monster Hunters. Grumpy x sunshine. Endless devotion. Blood and violence and revenge. Omegaverse. An actual slowburn romance for a standalone. The pacing was excellent and contained a perfect mix of plot and romance. I admit reading long-form Omegaverse isn't really my thing but Eddie was so sweet and puppy-ish that I kept rooting for him to get his man (er, mate) anyway. I'm going to check out this author's other books!!
October 10, 2022
??? So partway through the book, Castor had a sudden personality transplant. Considering the unfeeling bastard he was introduced as, I was curious to see how (and whether) the author planned to redeem him, but this could hardly be called a redemption.
It also felt like there was a major genre (or at least tonal) shift at some point as well. The Sanguine Church seemed very much like a morally ambiguous, looming possible villain, but it felt like most, if not all, moral ambiguity regarding the Church and its members was thrown overboard at some point. This could also be intentionally neglected in order to demonstrate Eddie's blind devotion for Castor, but it still feels incongruous.
It also felt like there was a major genre (or at least tonal) shift at some point as well. The Sanguine Church seemed very much like a morally ambiguous, looming possible villain, but it felt like most, if not all, moral ambiguity regarding the Church and its members was thrown overboard at some point. This could also be intentionally neglected in order to demonstrate Eddie's blind devotion for Castor, but it still feels incongruous.
September 1, 2022
4.5 rounded to 5
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Dark Cravings is a new paranormal romance by Joel Abernathy. Each will be a standalone and follow a different couple with their own HEAs.
He looked like some dark avenging angel half -drunk on lust. He looked like a hunter, and the way he was looking at me in turn left no room to doubt I was the prey.
I don't know where to start with this one, but it worked for me in so many ways. Eddie immediately stole my heart. He was a shifter who was somehow so innocent and a pup at heart. His eagerness to honest determination to be more than the monster he was made to be was endearing. It was impossible not to love him 🥰. Castor was less likable but there was something about him from the beginning that let you know there was more under his hard outer shell. He tried his hardest to fight his growing feelings and you can guess how that turns out for him. The intimate relationship between them is a rocky one as Castor tries to reconcile that he's fallen in love with the species he hates. The sex scenes between them are deliciously steamy and since this is an alpha /omega universe (non mpreg) we get ruts, heats, and knotting goodness.
"I love it when you say that," I whispered in his ear. "Especially when you scream it."
He shivered. "You say such wonderful, terrible things."
The story line outside of Eddie & Castors relationship was interesting and immersive. It took me a second to get the different orders and figure out the universes paranormal lore. However, I loved Eddie's progression as he was trained to be a hunter , it created some great sexual charged situations between Eddie and Castor. There was also a good amount of fight and action scenes throughout to keep the story progressing steadily. I also really liked all the side characters and can't wait for Father Marius' and Arrow's book.
I would happily die if it meant keeping him in this world for another second.
Overall Dark Cravings by Joel was a fantastic start to a new paranormal series with a cinnamon roll shifter, a hunter with anger issues, alpha/omega, mating, knotting, and set in a paranormal world with shifters and vampires.
Other Favorite Qoutes:
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Dark Cravings is a new paranormal romance by Joel Abernathy. Each will be a standalone and follow a different couple with their own HEAs.
He looked like some dark avenging angel half -drunk on lust. He looked like a hunter, and the way he was looking at me in turn left no room to doubt I was the prey.
I don't know where to start with this one, but it worked for me in so many ways. Eddie immediately stole my heart. He was a shifter who was somehow so innocent and a pup at heart. His eagerness to honest determination to be more than the monster he was made to be was endearing. It was impossible not to love him 🥰. Castor was less likable but there was something about him from the beginning that let you know there was more under his hard outer shell. He tried his hardest to fight his growing feelings and you can guess how that turns out for him. The intimate relationship between them is a rocky one as Castor tries to reconcile that he's fallen in love with the species he hates. The sex scenes between them are deliciously steamy and since this is an alpha /omega universe (non mpreg) we get ruts, heats, and knotting goodness.
"I love it when you say that," I whispered in his ear. "Especially when you scream it."
He shivered. "You say such wonderful, terrible things."
The story line outside of Eddie & Castors relationship was interesting and immersive. It took me a second to get the different orders and figure out the universes paranormal lore. However, I loved Eddie's progression as he was trained to be a hunter , it created some great sexual charged situations between Eddie and Castor. There was also a good amount of fight and action scenes throughout to keep the story progressing steadily. I also really liked all the side characters and can't wait for Father Marius' and Arrow's book.
I would happily die if it meant keeping him in this world for another second.
Overall Dark Cravings by Joel was a fantastic start to a new paranormal series with a cinnamon roll shifter, a hunter with anger issues, alpha/omega, mating, knotting, and set in a paranormal world with shifters and vampires.
Other Favorite Qoutes:
December 19, 2022
Holy wow. This was so good? Like.. criminally good? I was utterly sucked in and held captive and now that it's over I resent that there isn't more? This is maybe one of the most interesting takes on vampires, shifters, and a crusade against them that I've ever read. It's like Underworld meets Bloodborne meets I-don't-even-know-what. And I want more. Like, now. Please.
September 25, 2022
4.5 stars
This was SO GOOD OMG!!
I devoured this in less than 24 hours because I couldn't do anything except think of this book. Abernathy created such a rich and vibrant and brutal fantasy world and the romance was top tier. Enemies to lovers, fated mates, one-sided insta-infatuation, pining, slow burn, omegaverse elements AHHHH. Literal perfection!!!
(only removed a half star from my rating because a few of the early smut scenes were a little too brutal for my personal tastes, BUT they were so sweet by the end 🥺)
This was SO GOOD OMG!!
I devoured this in less than 24 hours because I couldn't do anything except think of this book. Abernathy created such a rich and vibrant and brutal fantasy world and the romance was top tier. Enemies to lovers, fated mates, one-sided insta-infatuation, pining, slow burn, omegaverse elements AHHHH. Literal perfection!!!
(only removed a half star from my rating because a few of the early smut scenes were a little too brutal for my personal tastes, BUT they were so sweet by the end 🥺)
September 14, 2022
loved it
I saw a new series by Joel Abernathy and I had to get it , simply because Joel has an amazing way of writing a slightly dark , violent series without it ever being too much it’s the perfect balance of heat and blood ! I truly enjoyed this book and I am so curious about the next book and couple in this series
I saw a new series by Joel Abernathy and I had to get it , simply because Joel has an amazing way of writing a slightly dark , violent series without it ever being too much it’s the perfect balance of heat and blood ! I truly enjoyed this book and I am so curious about the next book and couple in this series
December 3, 2023
EDIT: Lowering two stars because a sequel hasnt been released in over a year, and the author has started other series instead of continuing and finishing this one. Sad.
FINALLY.
Some good fucking food.
Ps: Not sure how I feel about the time jumps but you know, the rest of the book was so good that I can forgive the author (just a lil bit).
FINALLY.
Some good fucking food.
Ps: Not sure how I feel about the time jumps but you know, the rest of the book was so good that I can forgive the author (just a lil bit).
September 13, 2022
This is definitely different from your average romance but I loved how dark and non-traditionally romantic this story was. Eddie was a character you couldn't help but love, even when he is doing things that are not so great while Castor was very hard to like even though he is doing supposedly good things. The dynamic between these two was so interesting and so different from what you would normally see between two MC's but it just works in this story. The suspense plot was so well written and you can't hep but want more of the story to be revealed. There were things happening in the book that were a little bit on the uncomfortable side for me but not in a bad way or in a way that made me not want to stay up way too late to finish it! I hope we will see many more books set in this universe!
January 12, 2023
great start
This is was an amazing start to a good series. I’m not sure how to mark the diversity level here. There were only a few folks who where described in this host of family, based off that it’s lacking diversity. So that’s why the book got a 4 instead of the 5 it could have been.
This was a new to me author. The writing was amazing. I really love the world build and how the world worked. I enjoyed this pair. The push and pull between them. Was very much a one sided enemies to more story. With that story there is a nice subplot happening that seems it will carry us into other books. The smexy was hawt. This had every single thing I love about shifter smexy. Every thing. Some sweet some not so sweet enjoyed it all. The side characters were amazing. I can not wait to see who’s next. I hoping for a certain grumpy kinda vampire but I’m not picky.
This is was an amazing start to a good series. I’m not sure how to mark the diversity level here. There were only a few folks who where described in this host of family, based off that it’s lacking diversity. So that’s why the book got a 4 instead of the 5 it could have been.
This was a new to me author. The writing was amazing. I really love the world build and how the world worked. I enjoyed this pair. The push and pull between them. Was very much a one sided enemies to more story. With that story there is a nice subplot happening that seems it will carry us into other books. The smexy was hawt. This had every single thing I love about shifter smexy. Every thing. Some sweet some not so sweet enjoyed it all. The side characters were amazing. I can not wait to see who’s next. I hoping for a certain grumpy kinda vampire but I’m not picky.
October 16, 2022
2.5-3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
4.5 stars
February 10, 2023
This is an interesting world the author has created here. That said, I have a few things that just don’t sit right with me.
Eddie was immediately drawn to Castor, but it’s really never said why.
Castor hates Eddie, but sleeps with him. I get that hate sex is a thing, but it didn’t really feel like that. Plus the fact that Eddie ‘tears’ the first few times, but apparently Castor doesn’t care, just sits wrong.
Along the way Castors feelings change, but it just didn’t seem genuine or real.
Castor bit Eddie, but put a gun to Eddie’s head when Eddie had tried to but him in the beginning.
Castor’s ‘change’. I know they really didn’t know what truly caused it, but it just get way to convenient. He didn’t know what was happening to him as he slowly started to change.
Eddie being an omega. For this world, there really wasn’t a great explanation of what that meant.
*Despite those issues I had, overall I liked the world created and look forward to reading the next book.
Eddie was immediately drawn to Castor, but it’s really never said why.
Castor hates Eddie, but sleeps with him. I get that hate sex is a thing, but it didn’t really feel like that. Plus the fact that Eddie ‘tears’ the first few times, but apparently Castor doesn’t care, just sits wrong.
Along the way Castors feelings change, but it just didn’t seem genuine or real.
Castor bit Eddie, but put a gun to Eddie’s head when Eddie had tried to but him in the beginning.
Castor’s ‘change’. I know they really didn’t know what truly caused it, but it just get way to convenient. He didn’t know what was happening to him as he slowly started to change.
Eddie being an omega. For this world, there really wasn’t a great explanation of what that meant.
*Despite those issues I had, overall I liked the world created and look forward to reading the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
I have to give this book only 3 stars. I just didn’t like the way the characters came across in this book from the beginning. I was hoping it would change but unfortunately it didn’t.
September 12, 2022
"Dark Cravings" introduces us to a world of shifters and hunters wherein shifters may be born or made. The latter is Eddie's case, who finds himself thrown into a world of religious organisations set on hunting down the kind of beast he has become. Castor, the hunter who will find him - and prevent Eddie's death - is a high-ranking priest in the Sanguine Church. But Eddie is not a normal Alpha, and so he will spark the Sanguine Chruch's interest... and Castor's - despite the priest's refusal to acknowledge that. From this point, the story thus develops two subplots: Castor and Eddie's relationship and the tense relations between the Sanguine Church and the Order of the Rose, the other organisation tasked with hunting down shifters. A third actor will be the wolves themselves.
Eddie and Castor's chemistry is good enough to support the story's development, and Castor's running hot and cold towards Eddie keeps things appealing. But what interested me the most was worldbuilding, particularly regarding church-y stuff and the passive-aggressive relationship between the Sanguine Church and the Order. The political scenario and the tense relationships between these two are generally attractive. However, a few details either confused me or felt off. For instance, why is it that the Order, which is related to the Anglican church, is more "patriarchal" - as Cas characterises it - than the Sanguine Church, which originated in the Catholic church? It is said that the Sanguine church is separated from the Catholic church by a few schisms - and I was happy to see that the Sanguine church has women deacons. But this feels somewhat inconsistent to me as the Anglican church does ordain female ministries, whereas to this day, the Catholic church does not. Moreover, Castor's comment rings untrue in the face of the power structure of both organisations: Mother Cerise leads the Order (though not undisputed), and Atticus' sister is a colonel. By contrast, there are no high-ranking women in the Sanguine Church - Renata is an apprentice to Dr Kelly. It looks like the more patriarchal organisation is not the Order but the Sanguine Church!
A second question is historical ties between the Sanguine Church and the Order are unclear. As I said, the Order is related to the Anglican church (Queen Victoria established it in the 19th century as "the military arm of the Anglican Church"). In contrast, the Sanguine Church originated in the Catholic Church and is currently more of an independent organisation. However, Cas says that "we [the Sanguine Church] were orginally a part of the Order" (loc. 1936). This, however, fits poorly with the alleged roots of both organisations in the book. Queen Victoria creating the Order means that it is undisputably Anglican - meaning the Sanguine Church could not have been part of the Order in any way. By the 19th century, the Reformation had already happened and the Catholic and the Anglican Church were two different churches - and not in amicable terms for the most part. It would have made way more sense to state the opposite, that is, that the Sanguine Church was founded before the Reformation and centuries later the Order (not the Sanguine Church) split. It looks like Abernathy has his chronology and historical relations a bit messed up.
A third detail that surprised me is that, even with the Sanguine Church being a Church, only Father Marius does something akin to praying or meditating. Again, this goes to the story's credibility. Castor and Arrow are in line for succession. Neither one of them (nor the deacons or other trainees, for that matter) displays any kind of spiritual attitude - indeed, Eddie is taught to fight in his very packed schedule, but no sight of any spiritual discipline in said schedule. This looked like another inconsistency to me, particularly in the face of Father Marius's advice to Castor: "return to prayer [since] there's more to being a hunter than bloodshed, and if we lose sight of that, we are no better than the beasts" (loc 2541). In the end, we don't know what are the Sanguine Church's teachings that Eddie vows to follow - except for their use of blood.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the story, but the worldbuilding looked lacking. Since this plays a big part in any book, I will give it two stars.
I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest opinion.
Eddie and Castor's chemistry is good enough to support the story's development, and Castor's running hot and cold towards Eddie keeps things appealing. But what interested me the most was worldbuilding, particularly regarding church-y stuff and the passive-aggressive relationship between the Sanguine Church and the Order. The political scenario and the tense relationships between these two are generally attractive. However, a few details either confused me or felt off. For instance, why is it that the Order, which is related to the Anglican church, is more "patriarchal" - as Cas characterises it - than the Sanguine Church, which originated in the Catholic church? It is said that the Sanguine church is separated from the Catholic church by a few schisms - and I was happy to see that the Sanguine church has women deacons. But this feels somewhat inconsistent to me as the Anglican church does ordain female ministries, whereas to this day, the Catholic church does not. Moreover, Castor's comment rings untrue in the face of the power structure of both organisations: Mother Cerise leads the Order (though not undisputed), and Atticus' sister is a colonel. By contrast, there are no high-ranking women in the Sanguine Church - Renata is an apprentice to Dr Kelly. It looks like the more patriarchal organisation is not the Order but the Sanguine Church!
A second question is historical ties between the Sanguine Church and the Order are unclear. As I said, the Order is related to the Anglican church (Queen Victoria established it in the 19th century as "the military arm of the Anglican Church"). In contrast, the Sanguine Church originated in the Catholic Church and is currently more of an independent organisation. However, Cas says that "we [the Sanguine Church] were orginally a part of the Order" (loc. 1936). This, however, fits poorly with the alleged roots of both organisations in the book. Queen Victoria creating the Order means that it is undisputably Anglican - meaning the Sanguine Church could not have been part of the Order in any way. By the 19th century, the Reformation had already happened and the Catholic and the Anglican Church were two different churches - and not in amicable terms for the most part. It would have made way more sense to state the opposite, that is, that the Sanguine Church was founded before the Reformation and centuries later the Order (not the Sanguine Church) split. It looks like Abernathy has his chronology and historical relations a bit messed up.
A third detail that surprised me is that, even with the Sanguine Church being a Church, only Father Marius does something akin to praying or meditating. Again, this goes to the story's credibility. Castor and Arrow are in line for succession. Neither one of them (nor the deacons or other trainees, for that matter) displays any kind of spiritual attitude - indeed, Eddie is taught to fight in his very packed schedule, but no sight of any spiritual discipline in said schedule. This looked like another inconsistency to me, particularly in the face of Father Marius's advice to Castor: "return to prayer [since] there's more to being a hunter than bloodshed, and if we lose sight of that, we are no better than the beasts" (loc 2541). In the end, we don't know what are the Sanguine Church's teachings that Eddie vows to follow - except for their use of blood.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the story, but the worldbuilding looked lacking. Since this plays a big part in any book, I will give it two stars.
I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest opinion.
November 26, 2022
Dnf at 80%
I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time and waiting for something to happen.
*insta love: and for no reason. The characters are weak and underdeveloped. I feel like I don't know any of them. Castor has about as much characterization as Claudia.
*MC is given very little background. I find it hard to believe that he cares so much about having killed people, when he shows no interest in learning about his family. No matter what, he maintains an annoying naivety where he constantly just assumes that the Order wants what is best for him. I felt little attachment to the MC and I didn't feel like he went through any character growth. He acted like a total doormat and never stood up for himself. Some of his interactions made me cringe. Poor guy had no self respect.
*The amount of hand-waving inconsistencies to maintain some semblance of mystery drove me nuts.
*worldbuilding. I appreciate the lore, but not much is really explained beyond that. So these two orders exist and just are constantly at each others' throats? Do the humans know/care? Is there any sort of governmental body or do they all just go for it? Are all other shifters and vampires just mindless beasts who want to kill everything? The exact enemy was rather unclear to me.
*pacing. I'll at least say that all of the plot wasn't shoved into the span of a few weeks, as it usually is with many books of this genre. Each time jump didn't really bring anything much more different than if it had been a few days rather than a few months.
*plot. Oh man. There were maybe 3 or 4 major action scenes. Everything else was just training. Author did obviously do some research for the training, as well as put a good amount of thought into certain mechanisms (blood filterer and the sword belts). There was just TOO MUCH training. I would have loved to have seen what the opposing order was like, or a coven of vampires, or a pack of wolves. The world as it was shown in this first book was mainly confined to the cathedral (?), specifically the training rooms and the lab.
As always the writing was good.
I really enjoyed Bad Blood by this author, so I was really disappointed by this book. The series isn't finished so I hope the next books pick up steam. I do think he is a talented author with a lot to offer.
I feel bad about giving this a low rating, but I genuinely could not get into this.
I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time and waiting for something to happen.
*insta love: and for no reason. The characters are weak and underdeveloped. I feel like I don't know any of them. Castor has about as much characterization as Claudia.
*MC is given very little background. I find it hard to believe that he cares so much about having killed people, when he shows no interest in learning about his family. No matter what, he maintains an annoying naivety where he constantly just assumes that the Order wants what is best for him. I felt little attachment to the MC and I didn't feel like he went through any character growth. He acted like a total doormat and never stood up for himself. Some of his interactions made me cringe. Poor guy had no self respect.
*The amount of hand-waving inconsistencies to maintain some semblance of mystery drove me nuts.
*worldbuilding. I appreciate the lore, but not much is really explained beyond that. So these two orders exist and just are constantly at each others' throats? Do the humans know/care? Is there any sort of governmental body or do they all just go for it? Are all other shifters and vampires just mindless beasts who want to kill everything? The exact enemy was rather unclear to me.
*pacing. I'll at least say that all of the plot wasn't shoved into the span of a few weeks, as it usually is with many books of this genre. Each time jump didn't really bring anything much more different than if it had been a few days rather than a few months.
*plot. Oh man. There were maybe 3 or 4 major action scenes. Everything else was just training. Author did obviously do some research for the training, as well as put a good amount of thought into certain mechanisms (blood filterer and the sword belts). There was just TOO MUCH training. I would have loved to have seen what the opposing order was like, or a coven of vampires, or a pack of wolves. The world as it was shown in this first book was mainly confined to the cathedral (?), specifically the training rooms and the lab.
As always the writing was good.
I really enjoyed Bad Blood by this author, so I was really disappointed by this book. The series isn't finished so I hope the next books pick up steam. I do think he is a talented author with a lot to offer.
I feel bad about giving this a low rating, but I genuinely could not get into this.
September 1, 2022
I knew next to nothing about this book when I received the ARC but it grabbed me from the very beginning. We meet Eddie, who has effectively been stranded in his werewolf form since he was bitten when he was camping with his family in the woods. He knows pretty much nothing about this new side to himself and has absolutely no control. Which is the predicament he finds himself in when he is stuck between two sets of hunters. Being captured in what is known as neutral territory and thrown into a cell, Eddie has zero idea as to how the rest of his life is going to pan out,.
Much of the story revolves around Eddie learning about his new nature and how to (potentially) control it, all whilst trying to handle his inexplicable attraction to his captor: the beautiful Castor.
Castor is determined to see Eddie as a monster/the enemy due to trauma in his past, but yet he finds himself falling under Eddie’s innocent spell, until Castor is helping Eddie through his first rut and things take a sharp turn. Eddie loves everything about Castor – to the extent that he will accept pain and humiliation from him because some attention is better than none. Castor is more complicated, and perhaps harder to like because of that. The sex between Castor and Eddie is hot, slightly kinky and extremely satisfying to read, and leads very nicely into plot points that pull the story along.
The other main characters we get are Father Marius and Arrow. Not gonna lie, I am completely and utterly fascinated by Arrow, even whilst thinking he acted like a bit of a dick more than once! Book two involves him and I am psyched for it!
This whole new world of vampires, hunters and werewolves (sorry, shifters) was fascinating and well written, with new elements that intrigued me and a background that made it all the more interesting. As this is book one, I know it means we have more to look forward to which I am very much pleased about. Happily rounding up from a 4.5 to a 5, Joel Abernathy has started a fascinating new series!
I received an ARC from GRR.
Much of the story revolves around Eddie learning about his new nature and how to (potentially) control it, all whilst trying to handle his inexplicable attraction to his captor: the beautiful Castor.
Castor is determined to see Eddie as a monster/the enemy due to trauma in his past, but yet he finds himself falling under Eddie’s innocent spell, until Castor is helping Eddie through his first rut and things take a sharp turn. Eddie loves everything about Castor – to the extent that he will accept pain and humiliation from him because some attention is better than none. Castor is more complicated, and perhaps harder to like because of that. The sex between Castor and Eddie is hot, slightly kinky and extremely satisfying to read, and leads very nicely into plot points that pull the story along.
The other main characters we get are Father Marius and Arrow. Not gonna lie, I am completely and utterly fascinated by Arrow, even whilst thinking he acted like a bit of a dick more than once! Book two involves him and I am psyched for it!
This whole new world of vampires, hunters and werewolves (sorry, shifters) was fascinating and well written, with new elements that intrigued me and a background that made it all the more interesting. As this is book one, I know it means we have more to look forward to which I am very much pleased about. Happily rounding up from a 4.5 to a 5, Joel Abernathy has started a fascinating new series!
I received an ARC from GRR.
September 12, 2022
Firstly let me say I got this book of gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
Okay I honestly don’t know where to start because I enjoyed the storyline but I felt it was just dragged on a bit. I got bored a few times in different places I’m glad I carried on and I’m glad I finished the book.
Okay let’s talk about main characters you have got Eddie. He is a monster that has killed many people. He always thought he was a werewolf but when he gets captured by the priests he starts to learn exactly what he is. But first they need to get him to shift back to human form. He is totally in awe of one of the priest called Castor. The others joke that he has imprinted on him but he doesn’t understand what that means he just knows that when castor asks him questions or give him orders he complies. There’s one of a priest there called arrow that just seems to have it in for him. You see half of them think that Eddie needs to be put down and others think that they can bring him round with training. But it isn’t until the convent gets attacked by the order Eddie shows exactly how he feels he saves cast of Sister the doctor any of the people he says making sure only the orders people die. Will they seem in a different light?? But then Eddie goes into a rat and the only person there to help him he’s caster but is he doing it just to get him to concentrate or is he doing it because he wants to be with Eddie??
There’s a hell of a lot more going on in this book but that’s just the basics I really struggled with the relationship that these two had whether they were enemies or flirting with one another. Maybe something drastic has to happen for them to get what they want out of life.This book is action packed with passion and the fear of being attacked by the order. I think now that I’ve read this book the second book in the series will be a lot easier to get to grips with.
Okay I honestly don’t know where to start because I enjoyed the storyline but I felt it was just dragged on a bit. I got bored a few times in different places I’m glad I carried on and I’m glad I finished the book.
Okay let’s talk about main characters you have got Eddie. He is a monster that has killed many people. He always thought he was a werewolf but when he gets captured by the priests he starts to learn exactly what he is. But first they need to get him to shift back to human form. He is totally in awe of one of the priest called Castor. The others joke that he has imprinted on him but he doesn’t understand what that means he just knows that when castor asks him questions or give him orders he complies. There’s one of a priest there called arrow that just seems to have it in for him. You see half of them think that Eddie needs to be put down and others think that they can bring him round with training. But it isn’t until the convent gets attacked by the order Eddie shows exactly how he feels he saves cast of Sister the doctor any of the people he says making sure only the orders people die. Will they seem in a different light?? But then Eddie goes into a rat and the only person there to help him he’s caster but is he doing it just to get him to concentrate or is he doing it because he wants to be with Eddie??
There’s a hell of a lot more going on in this book but that’s just the basics I really struggled with the relationship that these two had whether they were enemies or flirting with one another. Maybe something drastic has to happen for them to get what they want out of life.This book is action packed with passion and the fear of being attacked by the order. I think now that I’ve read this book the second book in the series will be a lot easier to get to grips with.
September 12, 2022
Dark Cravings introduces us to a new urban fantasy world in which opposing religious factions have a common enemy, yet still find the time to test the boundaries of a very shaky truce between them. It's a nicely crafted environment where there's a constant tension creating a great setting for much of the Hunter action in the book. Indeed it's how our MCs meet - Eddie is being pursued by one faction and is captured by the other after a brief ‘disagreement’ over territory. The descriptions of church/hunter life and the personal stories interwoven paint a vivid picture and hint at the potential for a truly dark read. I don't know if it's a me thing and I'm desensitised, but the book doesn't really hit those properly dark notes.
Also, likely to be a me thing is that I didn't love the MCs as much as I wanted to. It's clear from the outset pretty much that, despite Eddie and Castor fitting the opposites attract brief, both have emotional baggage they carry with everything they do, though they do have intrinsically different ways of dealing with it. I so wanted to be able to connect with them in their need for vengeance and atonement, etc, but I just couldn't. I'm not going to give any spoilers in this review, but I knew I was going to be disappointed when all the hints at a trope I don't particularly care for started dropping, despite there being nothing about it in the blurb. As it happens, the trope just left me feeling a bit dissatisfied rather than actually disliking the book.
Overall, I think it's a great premise with great world-building and I did enjoy the author’s writing style, but unfortunately it doesn't work for me beyond that because of ‘that trope’ and the slight disconnect I had with the characters. 3*
A copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2022
This author is an absolute master at constructing worlds and characters.Castor irritated me at first, but I eventually learned why he acts the way he does, and I started to like him. The two main characters, Eddie and Castor, are very well written. I fell in love with Eddie and the mystery of who and what he is almost immediately. The ancillary characters, such as Arrow, Marius, and Atticus, are also engaging and interesting, and there is no doubt that they have the potential to be the focus of their own books as the series progresses.
This book is a dream come true for fans of the paranormal, as it features well-known paranormal races as well as some fresh twists on supernatural beings, all of which are placed in a world that is wholly original and concealed within another world that is ambiguous, unknown, and contemporary. The story focuses on two militant Orders, whose histories are intertwined with the histories of two major religions but have vastly different philosophies. These Orders hunt paranormals to destroy them and... other things.
The writing is excellent, and the story has a captivating premise that has just the right amount of mystery, romance, and intensity to satiate all of your demands. I was able to finish this book in one sitting, and now I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series. Definitely deserving of 5 stars. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
This book is a dream come true for fans of the paranormal, as it features well-known paranormal races as well as some fresh twists on supernatural beings, all of which are placed in a world that is wholly original and concealed within another world that is ambiguous, unknown, and contemporary. The story focuses on two militant Orders, whose histories are intertwined with the histories of two major religions but have vastly different philosophies. These Orders hunt paranormals to destroy them and... other things.
The writing is excellent, and the story has a captivating premise that has just the right amount of mystery, romance, and intensity to satiate all of your demands. I was able to finish this book in one sitting, and now I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series. Definitely deserving of 5 stars. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
September 9, 2022
Dark Carvings is a enemies to lovers, dark paranormal romance. I love books with vampires, Shifters and Werewolves and this one has everything, I love the story between Eddie and Castor. Eddie is a shifter who is turn into a shifter and hasn’t been able to shift back to his human form, he is been hunt because he is out of control by two kind of hunters, Castor is a hunter and he step in and saves Eddie from been kill, they use vampires and shifter for they blood to give hunter their abilities without change. Castor hate Eddie because his family was kill by shifter and wants nothing to do with him at first.
Eddie is held prisoner and force to change, he wants to help them so he can’t do hurt anyone any more, and because he help the hunters when they were attack they granted them something, he choose to become a hunter and help to kill more monsters. Castor is forced to help to train Eddie and is trying to be cold and hateful to him but there’s something between them.
I like the story and how the relationship between Eddie and Castor chance with time, both are so different and the but their attraction slowly makes Castor’s walls to crumble, this is definitely a little dark because of how their sexual attraction makes them interact and treat with each other, this was a very unique paranormal story and I’m definitely looking forward for the next book!
Eddie is held prisoner and force to change, he wants to help them so he can’t do hurt anyone any more, and because he help the hunters when they were attack they granted them something, he choose to become a hunter and help to kill more monsters. Castor is forced to help to train Eddie and is trying to be cold and hateful to him but there’s something between them.
I like the story and how the relationship between Eddie and Castor chance with time, both are so different and the but their attraction slowly makes Castor’s walls to crumble, this is definitely a little dark because of how their sexual attraction makes them interact and treat with each other, this was a very unique paranormal story and I’m definitely looking forward for the next book!
September 2, 2022
This author is brilliant at world and character building, and this story is no different. The two MCs are so well written, you’ll immediately love Eddie and the mystery of who and what he is; Castor will irritate and frustrate you but you’ll eventually know why he is the way he is and you’ll start to like him. The side characters are entertaining and interesting as well – Arrow, Marius, Atticus – and definitely have potential to have their own books as the series continues.
This book is a paranormal-lover’s dream – the popular paranormal races, plus some new takes on paranormals, set in a unique world hidden within a vague, unknown, yet modern one. Cars, cell phones and technology exist in this world, but the story feels like you’re reading something set in much older time – two militant Orders, with histories intertwined with two major religions but vastly different philosophies, hunting paranormals to destroy them and… other things.
The plot is enthralling, with enough mystery, romance, and heat to satisfy all those cravings and the writing is brilliant. I read this book in one sitting, and am immediately wanting the next book in the series. Definitely a 5-star read for the characters and the sheer entertainment the book provides.
This book is a paranormal-lover’s dream – the popular paranormal races, plus some new takes on paranormals, set in a unique world hidden within a vague, unknown, yet modern one. Cars, cell phones and technology exist in this world, but the story feels like you’re reading something set in much older time – two militant Orders, with histories intertwined with two major religions but vastly different philosophies, hunting paranormals to destroy them and… other things.
The plot is enthralling, with enough mystery, romance, and heat to satisfy all those cravings and the writing is brilliant. I read this book in one sitting, and am immediately wanting the next book in the series. Definitely a 5-star read for the characters and the sheer entertainment the book provides.
September 1, 2022
Thank you for arc read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. A enemy to lover, Hunter vs prey, and you get a few kinks of pain/humiliation. How is Eddie supposed to know these things if Castor is not teaching them? Its like the knowledge will magic itself in his brain!
Oh my is this series tied up with the godbearer? Castor seems to know what to expect when it comes to some needs but is bewildering clueless on others. Oh I can't wait until Arrow is imprinted on, that big brute is going to be hilarious!
Roaming the streets feral, Eddie is forced to fight, only this human was a like the others. Hurt and half crazied with bloodlust was the only explanation he could come up with for the calming scent that Castor brings within to his beast. Everyone is weary of the alpha in the their home, saving them hasn't changed that. After Father Marius had agreed to his honor debt, Eddie is thrusted in to the care of Father Castor deadly handling. What happens when the prey joins forces with the hunters?
Castor wasn't thrilled to say, yep he now had a defective wolf for as his newest recruit. When Eddie goes in to rut that was going to be a problem.
Oh my is this series tied up with the godbearer? Castor seems to know what to expect when it comes to some needs but is bewildering clueless on others. Oh I can't wait until Arrow is imprinted on, that big brute is going to be hilarious!
Roaming the streets feral, Eddie is forced to fight, only this human was a like the others. Hurt and half crazied with bloodlust was the only explanation he could come up with for the calming scent that Castor brings within to his beast. Everyone is weary of the alpha in the their home, saving them hasn't changed that. After Father Marius had agreed to his honor debt, Eddie is thrusted in to the care of Father Castor deadly handling. What happens when the prey joins forces with the hunters?
Castor wasn't thrilled to say, yep he now had a defective wolf for as his newest recruit. When Eddie goes in to rut that was going to be a problem.
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