Kinked

A Novel of the Elder Races, Book 6

By: Thea Harrison

Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she's ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy's incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own. To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin's mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion-culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.

©2013 Teddy Harrison (P)2013 Tantor

Get Kinked!!

This is the 6th book in The Elder Races series and it was one that I was most reluctant to read. First, I have been so spoiled by Oracle’s Moon (Khalil and Grace) that it’s been hard to move off that plane of pleasure. Second, there is not another book in the series due out for a while, leaving me stranded in the wasteland of “NOTHEA” (including the novellas that I’m not particularly fond of). Third, I have not been a fan of the Sentinel Aryal (the Harpy)—I mean REALLY, a HARPY. And a Harpy that’s a total bitch to boot—I mean who DOESN’T like Pia? Aryal, that’s who and her description of Pia’s decision to take Dragos’ last name (Cuelebre) reveals the contempt:

“Last names -- they were like word parasites . They attached to people in strange ways, moved across cultural and political lines, traveled the world and reattached to others certainly at whim and seemingly at random. Why didn’t anyone else see how creepy last names were?”

Quentin, friend of Pia and newly crowned Sentinel (this guy can FIGHT) proves to be just another irritant to Aryal, who trusts no one and loathes everyone. She is onto Quentin like a tick on a puppy…festering with burrowing deeper into Quentin’s life, determined to find the evidence of wrongdoing that would discredit him.

Aryal, after spying on Quentin’s dominant coupling with an ‘escort’ finds herself attracted to him but hating him at the same time…you know where this is going. As Dragos is ‘want’ to do…he sends the pair on a mission together, a large portion of which is spent with each of them plotting to kill the other. No love lost here. And even though this storyline is predictable, Ms. Harrison lights it up with fresh dialogue and creative mythology of the Wyr, Elves and Other Lands. (I SO want to go to an Other Land).

Quentin’s description of Aryal on the plane trip that takes them to Numenlaur is so good you can just feel it. She’s “sharp like vodka straight from the freezer; hot like mulled whiskey”. Quentin is not immune to the sexual attraction either…so here we go.

Sure enough, through a series of events, unfoldings and bartering (you’ll have to read the book for that tidbit), the anger barriers melt slowly away to be replaced (albeit reluctantly) by friendship, trust and, of course, love. The banter between Aryal and Quentin is so engaging, so fun, so powerful and so pure…it is just a joy to be a part of it. And as misfortune befalls them both, the struggle to protect each other, to win the ultimate fight and to recover is quite profound. Each is tested in a manner that reveals their frailty and essence.

Many folks do not care for the ‘paranormal’ world but fail often to see the allegory that it is. The Elder Races series is a beautifully crafted sequence of ‘real’ concerns couched in a world of ‘make-believe’.

I have said it with all of these books….I love the mind of Thea Harrison and the creative force that must hold her at bay on many an occasion. I loved this book and the wonderful narration of Sophie Eastlake, who has spoiled me with her grasp of the story and the characters.

Kink and Love

If you’ve followed the series, you know Aryal is kinky; but we get to find out how kinky Quentin is. All that anger and frustration they’ve had towards each other has to be channeled into making peace between them, or Dragos will get rid of them both. They are forced to work together in Numenlaur when reconnaissance uncovers a real threat.
For all the friction, I wouldn’t have put the two together; but Harrison does, and they fit.
An interesting addition to the series.

Another in this fantastic series.

I love the characters and personalities the funny banter between each other. a great read.

A PARTNERSHIP FORGED FROM HATE & HONED INTO LOVE

Who can make a kick-ass, fierce, bad mouthed Harpy but a loyal Sentinel whose hatred and sworn revenge is entirely focussed on a sexy Alpha Sentinel (who's a mix of black panther/Fae/Elf) and turn it into a listen that's overflowing with action, adventure, mystery, secrets, raw gut-wrenching feelings, snappy dialogue, danger, humor and a HEA ending? Well Thea Harrison can and I rejoice at such a gifted awesome talented author.

As Aryal and Quentin's mutual hatred culminates, then reaches breaking point, it results in an explosive battle so Dragos is forced to send them on a mission knowing that they may well end up killing each other. However, as the mission starts they are forced to work together and the hatred and animosity reluctantly turns into a truce which brings surprising sizzling sexual chemistry then respect, compromise followed by support, feelings of mutual like ..... and finally love.

This story was like watching a bud slowly unfurling to become a spectacular flower as two badly flawed Wyr people slowly evolve and learn to trust one another and, as they do, hatred turns into attraction and friction turns into passion. Then the two dominant H/H finally understand each other and work together as a team and the passionate lovers, solidified by a sweet, touching, sometimes tender, sexy, raw drive to win at any cost, get caught in a life and death struggle against an evil Witch.

Worth a credit? This fierce battle of wills between two worthy opponents whose strong characters thankfully weren't changed to fit the plot but rather changed because of the plot and their kinked characters actually complimented each others which totally comes down to a very skilful author who knows, not only her characters needs, but her fans wishes too. So, credit-worthy ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY !!

Love them, but...

I loved this story of Quentin and Aryal (spelling?) and how they were both dominant wyrs, but I was a little disappointed with their sex scenes. I thought they be more dominant and intense. Still loved the story overall, but a little disappointed~

Fabulous!

Excellent hate and love tale. Aaryal is probably my favorite character in this story besides Graydon. She is witty, funny, intelligent, and snarky. I simply adore her attitude. Quentin is the perfect mate for her. Her archenemy. Great story with a personal recovery.

Fiesty couple

I was not a fan of Ariel in the previous books. So I was a little concerned about how I would like a whole book about her. But the story really worked for me. I loved Ariel and Quentin’s story.

Ariel was wild and mouthy and confrontational, and she hated Quentin. Quentin was dominant in his private life, but pretty easy going in his social life. Except when it came to Ariel. The Harpy knew how to get under his skin and drive him to violence, towards her. And she fought back fiercely.

Their fighting is what gets them banished for a month. They must learn to work together or they won’t have a job to come back to.

I loved watching them learn their common ground, which turned out to be a lot. I liked how Quentin was finally able to temper Ariel, and I love how Ariel completed Quentin. This was a great book.

I absolutely HATED Ariel... HATED

It's amazing how you can hate a character sooo much for so many series of books and then cry over her in another! This might be the best book yet! Love it and love the narration...which makes the book an epic movie.

Knocked it out of the park!

While I've enjoyed the entire Elder Race series, this quickly became my favorite. That Harpy is something else and it was a great read to see her character fully developed. The tension in this one builds beautifully and makes the climax oh-so worth it. Great author, great reader, great series.

Love this series

Thea Harrison has a knack for this genre. I got hooked with Dragon Bound and never looked back, just waited for the next installment. I have to admit that even though I do love ALL the books and ALL characters, up to this point Dragon Bound and Oracle's Moon were my two favorites. Now this one has just become another, Can't wait for Grimm's story and Grayden to find his own "cupcake". Narration couldn't be better, Sophie you do an excellent job.