Forged in Fire: An Angels and Demons Romance (The Vessel Trilogy Book 1)

This is a re-release of a series that I didn't know about, but I'm glad I got the chance to begin it now. The new cover is absolutely gorgeous! This is not a stand alone series, but the plot is engaging enough to make you want to return to the characters in the sequel. The book is set in a world with clear good and evil, with our heroine being a tool that can be used by the both, and the magical beings here are Demons who represent both good and evil. The hero, a Master of Demons is a guardian to the heroine, introducing her to the supernatural world and her role in it. I loved how both of them hold certain past traumas in common, despite coming from very different lives and times. It was refreshing to see a self sufficient heroine who was not a damsel in distress.I was given a reviewers copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I’m always really hesitant about reading the first book in a fantasy series, because that’s when you meet the main character who is suddenly someone really important in the war between good and evil. And you spend a huge chunk of the book watching them discover their powers and being in denial about who they really are. But I admire Juliette Cross for not doing that with Forged in Fire. Yes, there is the whole being in denial and learning about her true nature for Genevieve Drake, but she’s not some innocent little girl who is incapable of looking after herself. I loved how bada** and strong Gen was, how she fought for what she wanted and how much time and effort she put into understanding her place in the world.In short, I want to be Gen when I grow up.The first book in The Vessel Trilogy follows Gen as she’s almost attacked outside a club and then rescued by a handsome man who says he’s her protector. But he can’t seem to protect her from everything. As a Vessel, she’s an important part in the war between good and evil, but that doesn’t mean that she’s completely safe away from everyone else. Gen is put through trials and a lot of traumatic things that would make almost anyone give up. But she’s so tough, so strong and determined to play her part in this fight. I admired that about her so much and it made me root for her as she learned her place in the world and how she’s going to make a difference.And don’t even get me started on Jude! While the book is told through Gen’s perspective and we see Jude through her eyes, I loved just how much of him we get to see. Every time a layer is peeled back, Gen is there, learning about him as we do. Their attraction and chemistry is intense and I loved just how deep all of it goes, especially since they’re constantly toeing the line. Even in dangerous situations where the fate of the world hangs in the balance, you need to get some! And Gen and Jude most definitely get some, and it’s so delicious.I am so curious about all of the secondary characters and how the story is going to move forward. Because the first book shocked me to my core, but also excited me in every way possible. Which means Gen's journey is only getting started!Thanks to Juliette Cross for an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Forged in Fire by Juliette Cross was a full attack on my heart and all my senses. I was transported to a whole new world existing within the world we know where demons, demon hunters, angels and soul collectors battle it out. Action packed. Adventurous. Sinful and exhilarating. Genevieve and Jude will take you on an unforgettable ride.Genevieve Drake's life as a twenty year old English student changes abruptly on her birthday when she comes to know she is a Vessel. Jude Delacroix, the expert demon hunter tells her how she is a powerful entity and how the demons want to possess her to gain that power. He promises her to guide and protect but the battle will be a long and difficult one.Genevieve is a stunning character. She has fierceness and sass and wit. Her life got turned upside down but she dealt it with grace and courage. She has deep seated grief and vulnerability and definitely the ordeal made her tired and anxious and broken. Demons are no joke and she was dragged through different dimensions and different challenges and different trauma that scarred her mind and soul. But she is a fighter and she emerged victorious. For now. Because the battle is far from over. And then there is Jude. An ancient soul. A savage and ruthless hunter. A merciless protector. His intensity burnt through my heart. I am hopelessly and helplessly in love with this brooding alpha man. God the way he speaks about his devotion for Genevieve or the way he obliterates her nightmares or the way he goes from dark lethal mode to tender caring mode. Seriously I cannot take it. The chemistry was sensational. Slow burn and fast exploding. This is the beginning and I cannot wait for more.This book was previously published in 2016 and this review is for an updated and re- edited version releasing on Feb 1st.I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Emerald Book Reviews'His thumb pressed gently along the side of my neck over the cuff of my denim jacket. Surely he felt the quickening speed of my pulse. Was that his intention?"No, I am not your brother. Nor do I want to be. However, I am your protector, whether you would choose me or not. If you value your life, or at the very least, your eternal soul, then you must trust me and do as I say."I'm so glad I picked this book up. I was in the mood for an epic fantasy/supernatural kind of trilogy to sink my teeth into and Forged In Fire by author Juliette Cross was the perfect solution.This book is incredibly imaginative, informative, exciting, romantic and has some of the best characters and engaging dialogue to lead you into an exhilarating thrill-ride of good versus evil. Add in a few fallen angels, some more destructive demons, a prophecy, a host of secrets, a plethora of complicated and highly intelligent bad guys, a dark, enthralling and brooding hero, plus one bada$$, independent yet vulnerable heroine and you have the perfect magical recipe for a truly magnificent, sensational and lavish action fantasy adventure.It doesn't really end on a cliffhanger but there are two more books to devour in this series and I for one cannot wait to dive back into Jude and Genevieve's tumultuous world.

Forged in Fire is dark, edgy and intensely emotional. It will make your heart pound, your breath catch and your heart melt. If you want something which will captivate you from the first page, step into Juliette Cross' world of demons, and the men and women who hunt them.I will be the first to admit I have a hard time with the themes of good vs evil where angels and demons are involved, where the story is mixed with a large dose of mythology and finds its basis from angels being cast out of heaven and becoming demons. Perhaps it is my rather conservative Christian upbringing where many Sundays were spent in church listening to the pastor breathe fire and brimstone down on us from the pulpit and then reading Frank Peretti's books like This Present Darkness and Piercing The Darkness. It's enough to terrify the living daylights out of an impressionable young girl.All of the above taken into consideration, the basic theme of good vs evil in Forged In Fire makes it difficult for me to breathe when I'm reading it. It's gripping and it's intense. And when Gen descends into hell and we see first hand what a demon prince can do to a person and what he will do to possess a person, it terrifies me to the core. Kudos to Juliette for writing it so well. The demon/hell scenes were tough for me to deal with. Being tormented by a demon is no joke! Don't let my personal issues stop you from reading this book though because it is a splendidly written book and while there is an edgy darkness to it, there are also some brilliant moments of light which will melt the most hardened heart.Juliette has the ability to write wonderful heroines. Gen is no exception. Gen is a 20 year old college student who gets attacked while out celebrating her 20th birthday. We later learn she is a Vessel, a source of power for good or for evil. Demons want her. It's not a good position to be in. Pile on learning about the supernatural world fast, upfront and personal, it's a lot to take in. Gen wavers between being sensible and being a typical 20 yo. She does some dumb things along the way, but she's also sensible enough to know when she's wrong and she admits it. I wasn't so keen on the typical 20 yo dumb things but Ms Cross manages to redeem her with her sensibility. Gen also matures rather rapidly throughout this story. She has to. She's dealing with some rather nasty creatures who either are trying to kill her or to possess her. Neither is a particularly appealing option. Gen is also a strong heroine. I love that she is strong, not in the sense of power (she has to grow into that) but in herself. She's had terrible tragedy happen in her life but she's survived and she's managed to come out of it a confident, level headed young woman. I admire that in her.And Jude. Don't even get me started on Jude. Can there be a hero sexier than Jude? Okay, probably yes, but Jude! I loved Jude when I read The Deepest Well and I saw into some of his character there which I loved. I love Jude even more in Forged In Fire. He's dark, broody, intense and possessive. I adore how possessive he is of Gen, and how protective. We find out the reason for his protectiveness later in the story and truly, the reason is enough to melt your heart. All the moments when Jude talks to Gen, when he reveals his feelings for her and when he reinforces them each time he touches her, kisses her, it's not only his words but also his actions which make you think Gen is a lucky, lucky girl. Seriously, the first kiss, the first time Jude tells Gen how he feels about her, me, melted into a puddle of goo.Juliette does a phenomenal job of showing you the depth of feeling between Jude and Gen. The emotion fairly leaps off the page with every word you read. As you read it, the words wrap you in a sense of breathtaking wonder. You don't need those three little words being uttered to know exactly what Jude feels for Gen and vice versa. It's there is every touch, every glance and every breath they take. Juliette manages to instill so much sexiness and sensuality into the story without having Jude and Gen go all the way. Of course, as compensation for all the sexual tension I expect them to be all over each other in book two!!Oh, and special shout out to George. Every time there's mention of George and who he is in myth and legend, I get giddy with excitement. If you want to know more about George, read The Deepest Well. Another phenomenal book.Fabulous start to the series, Juliette. I can't wait to read book two.

Set in New Orleans, Genevieve is out celebrating her birthday with a friend when she's attacked by a man possessed by a demon, and saved by Jude Delacroix. Jude hunts demons and recognises Genevieve for what she is: a Vessel, a unique individual who demons will seek to possess and control. Unwilling to let that happen, Jude reluctantly begins to train Genevieve as she learns more about who she is and the paranormal world or demons and angels she's stumbled into.This was a re-read for me, and was one of the first Juliette Cross books I'd read so it was great to revisit it. Gen and Jude have great chemistry on page, and the first book really does set up the world, the main players and the future books in the series. Gen is a delight - snarky and at times unsure of the new world she's found herself in, but is the perfect foil to the aloof Jude who's spent a very long time only worrying about himself. There are also plenty of secondary characters to get to know and love and I hope we see more of them in future books.Essentially, this book has all the things I adore - a paranormal romance with angels and demons set in New Orleans with atmosphere and banter in spades. What more can you ask for?

I enjoyed this book and thought the whole vessel, demons and master of demons setting was very creative and entertaining. I thought it had great world building -complex without over explaining or trying to stick everything into one single book. I'm personally not a fan of younger characters, and at times Genevieve came across as immature, but fair enough, her character develops throughout the book and I'm assuming there's more growth in the next couple of books. I thought Jude was a great hero and their chemistry is fantastic, but it was never clear to me what drew him so much to Genevieve. I kept expecting some sort of “fated mates” explanation, perhaps related to the prophecy, but it never came, and I'm not one for love at first sight, so I would have liked to read more about how and why they were falling for each other, but this is more of a personal preference. I was unaware that this was not exactly a standalone novel, and while thankfully there's not a cliffhanger, it's just a Happy For Now. Overall, this is an outstanding debut novel. I don't know how much it was edited for the re-realese, but I really liked exploring Juliette Cross's backlist, as I've only read her “Stay a spell” series. She truly is an amazing author.

JUST WOW! It was a first time reading this author. What a wonderful discovery.