The Heart of War by Lisa Beth Darling
The Heart of War was an interesting read that wasn’t at all what I expected. The first part of the book is all about Ares, who lives on his island with his guards and his harem, and his life. It turns out a large, huge part of this book is erotica; Ares is fixed on his…member: the fact that it was too big, he had to change size for mortal women, he needed at least eight women to satiate his need (not want, he’s trimmed it down to need) and how he’s hung like a horse. I mean wow, even when Maggie washes ashore in her chastity belt that has deformed her hips, (she’s been wearing it for over 200 years) he still alludes to sex and deflowering. His guards also “beat off” often and voyeuristically. At first, this bothered me and I wondered how I was going to read close to 500 pages of constant sex, then the story changed slowly. We were introduced to Maggie’s betrothed, the Celtic god, we learn Artemis was beaten, raped, and killed 200 years ago, and the Greek gods don’t like the Celtic ones.
Maggie/Alena is at first a very vulnerable mortal character. Slowly, her time on the island with Ares allows her to remember her past and who she was. Ares, who starts off as a very vain, shallow character, gives us his history slowly, showing who he really is. The two main characters are nothing like how they were introduced and they are the better for it. It was fascinating watching their romance and self discovery (kind of funny for immortals) and was very well written. While extremely violent at times, I really enjoyed the two working together during the battle between the druids and Ares. As the God of War, you would think Ares would be more “macho” but he fought alongside Maggie/Alena and even asked for advice.
The story also grows more and more twisted, like most Greek myths, and there are plots within plots and political movements and games. It made the book that much better while breaking my heart when I discovered Alena’s full and true story. Each of the gods are devious, even the ones the readers have come to love or at least understand. The author takes us through the Underworld, through trial and fire, only to emerge stronger and more tempered. Her characters were great, I only wish that the majority of the story wasn’t driven by sex.
Synopsis of book:
Inside the Heart of every Warrior breathes the Soul of a Hero–even within The Heart of War.
Meet Ares God of War, the greatest Warrior the world has ever known. He’s moody, grumpy, dominant, ravenously sexual, and above all, built like a Greek God.
Suspected of killing his Daughter in-Law, Psyche, and long in exile from Olympus, the solitude of Ares’ secluded Greek Isle is interrupted when Magdalena MacLeod a plucky little Fey washes up on his shore after believing she’s been shipwrecked. It’s not mere fate that has brought the unlikely couple together yet it may be what tears them apart.
Book Stats:
- Paperback: 516 pages
- Publisher: Moon Mistress Publishing (November 21, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0615424686
- ISBN-13: 978-0615424682
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Very unique!
I loved this book so much i read it three times and dream of it a hundred times more. I know there or more books available in the “of war” series, I was wondering if someday we will be able to have them reviewed here as well?
I have read the others in this series and it would feel a bit of a shame not to have them listed here together with “the heart of war”. They’re all well worth the read as Lisa takes you on a journey with highs and lows, tension, heartache and passions.