Gabriel's Inferno

Gabriel's Inferno, Book 1

By: Sylvain Reynard

Narrated by: John Morgan

Length: 20 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Sylvain Reynard comes the first novel in the Gabriel's Inferno series, a haunting, unforgettable tale of one man’s salvation and one woman’s sensual awakening - now a film from Passionflix!

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well-respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, Gabriel’s Inferno is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible - forgiveness and love.

©2012 Sylvain Reynard (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Good story, worth the credit

I enjoyed this book. Sometimes I grow impatient with timid characters like Julia. She cowered and trembled a few too many pages for my taste; but still, I remained in her corner throughout the story. Plenty of angst and tortured souls. If you're not a fan of heavy literature, some of the exchanges and references are a bit pretentious, but are necessary to reveal the inner workings of Gabriel's mind . These conversations reveal the musings of two brilliant but socially challenged individuals who have, thus far, lived very sad lives.

Anyone with a family will appreciate the imperfect and absolutely realistic characterizations of family relationships. There's a dad who can still give his adult children a scolding..and they still know they have to listen.

Be prepared..there is a sequel. This story comes to a conclusion..sort of. There are many loose threads remaining. A couple of the supporting characters were more engaging than the hero and heroine, in my opinion. All the ingredients for a series.

The performance was pleasant, although the sound of the narrator's voice and his speech patterns sound a lot like H.A.L. (2001 A Space Odyssey). Once it occurred to me who the narrator's voice resembled, it made me giggle and was somewhat distracting from time to time, but that's my problem, not the book's.

This may sound like a negative critique, but revealing my list of positives will give away too much. All in all, worth the credit, but I will likely read something a little sunnier before returning for the sequel. Something sans Dante.

A lesson on The Divine Comedy - A Romance

Spineless, shy, flower of a grad student meets brutish poet-obsessed teacher and Dante ensues.

I'm not sure what to write for this. I liked it, and it probably seems more naughty to me because I'm a grad student and what they are doing can get them in SO much trouble, but the characters were a little annoying. Julianne is NOT a graduate student. There's no way a girl like this could be taken seriously in a program. She squeaks when spoken to and practically faints if she thinks of anything too stressful. And Gabriel, as yummy as he could have been, is so wrapped up in one moment in his past that was clearly out of control that he has become an absolute bully to everyone and when you find out what it is, it's a bit of a let down. Not to diminish one man's torment over another but with all the buildup, I guess I expected something different.

This book was more a lesson in Dante than anything else, and I'm honestly wondering why it's being compared to Fifty Shades of Grey... it's nothing like it. And before you click, you should know this isn't erotica, and the romance is barely there (unless you're a grad student, then it's just teeming).

I don't mind shy heroines. My friend is about as introverted as you can get, but she's not spineless - she actually fits in the PhD world, if barely. Julianne however is waaaaayyy too wilting flower, even for a degree in Dante. I just have a problem with her that I can't let go.

I was not left with the feeling of "meh" on this one and went ahead and got the next two, but I can say there's something in this book that keeps me from giving it 5 stars. 3.5 stars

I'm a FAN!

I enjoyed this series and can't wait for the next book! It had the right balance in story line and sex. I couldn't stop listening until I got through both books. The narrator, John Morgan, was wonderful! I'm a true fan of Sylvain Reynard.

The GWTW of the 21st Century

What did you love best about Gabriel's Inferno?

EVERYTHING, but specifically the references to literature, music, and the beautiful love story of Gabriel and Julia.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me laugh, it made me cry, and the characters were wonderful.

Have you listened to any of John Morgan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Gabriel's Rapture and he was fabulous in both.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Maia

Slow start, best after the second listen, unique!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I really couldn't say. It was so unique. If this is not your genere take a chance.

Would you recommend Gabriel's Inferno to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I would. I would clarify that at times it was hard to continue and I thought get on with it. After the second listen I enjoyed it more.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

John Morgan did an exceptional performance with males. I think it would be much better with a female artist doing the female parts. I am not sure what would improve it. It is so unique to me. I am so enjoying it more the second time. I was board at parts and didn't want to continue or skip.Yes, I would highly recommend it to people looking for a romance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I usually listen to murder, suspense, supernatural, and .... This was well worth it to me.

Better than 50 shades

If you could sum up Gabriel's Inferno in three words, what would they be?

I want more!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gabriel's Inferno?

Lust! Passion! Places they visited.OMG everything about this book was mesmerizing. Beautiful full of anticipation.

Which character – as performed by John Morgan – was your favorite?

Gabriel of course.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The love they had for one another. The changes Gabriel made, the need and want to change.

Any additional comments?

The best book ever. I couldn't put it down. Now i crave more and can't find any that comes close. Please hurry, put that creative head together and give me something to read again.

Excellent

Based on some of the other reviews, I thought that I would not like this story. I'm so happy that I purchased. Excellent writting. I love the details given for the characters.

Amazing!!

Where does Gabriel's Inferno rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best book. The have told all my friends. This is my favorite book. I can't wait to forget this book , so I can reread it.

What other book might you compare Gabriel's Inferno to and why?

This author is amazing, can't wait to read more from him.

Which scene was your favorite?

Wedding

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Gabriel is sexy, beautiful , and mean & I hate & love him

love the back story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

this is a great book how he takes care of her and loves her.

What did you like best about this story?

the way they met when they were teens and how they meet now and he had no clue.

Have you listened to any of John Morgan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

my first time I think he was good.

The book was so I good I bought the audiobook!

Would you listen to Gabriel's Inferno again? Why?

I have listened to this book twice (if you notice the headline you can tell I have read/heard this story numerous times). This author is so intelligent it just pours onto the pages. The story is so eloquently written and smart, it is sweet, passionate, and a story of love through the darkest of times. The narrator performance the piece almost perfectly ("The Snarky Narrator"). Don't let the length dissuade from purchasing, it is well worth it!