IMMORTAL TRUST
Curse of the Templars (3)
by Claire Ashgrove
Mass Market Paperback & E-Book formats 448 pages
Tor/Macmilan (March 26, 2013)
Book sent by publisher unsolicited. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions herein are my own except as noted.
When archaeologist Chloe Broussard accepts the contract to lead a dig in Ornes, France, she has no idea she will uncover the Veil of Veronica. When she does, she discovers a danger far greater than the demonic presence stalking her at night. Azazel wants her, as well as the Veronica, and his chosen minion is her brother. Her hope lies with immortal Templar Knight Lucan. Her life depends on oaths she knows nothing about.
For countless centuries, Lucan of Seacourt has lived with the knowledge that his brother killed their family. Now, as Azazel’s darkness eats away at his soul, old betrayal stirs suspicion. He trusts no one. Not even the seraph who can heal his dying spirit.
With the fate of the Almighty hanging in the balance, Lucan must find faith in something more terrifying than the dark lord’s creations. He must learn to believe his heart. http://us.macmillan.com
MY TAKE
I always enjoy reading this series from Claire Ashgrove. Lucan may be the most noble of knights so far in this story. He sounds really sexy, and Claire really does Lucan's archaic speech very well. He never says "yes" ( I think) it's always "Aye." It really keeps Lucan in character.
The character I found difficult to believe on more than a superficial level was Chloe. Female archaeologists are not like little girls. Demons would probably be afraid of a woman who had the fortitude to unearth a burial chamber. There would also be a lot more intellectual deliberation. She just seemed childlike. Except in bed.
Terrible betrayals were hinted at in the last book; and are an important part of this volume's story. The Templars have been a group of men who depend upon each other. This story explores trust and betrayal on several levels:
- Uncertainty brought about by not knowing someone and yet being in a situation where trust is important.
- Having someone you always trusted become someone you can't trust at all.
- And, trust broken on purpose, for greed or avarice.
Lucan is even chivalrous in bed - yes you got it, Chloe always comes first. Claire does write nice love scenes, hmmm.
I also liked how Claire made this story a little more ecumenical. More about a creator being than a Christian GOD. The whole Azazal capturing these sacred objects and he has the right to take the Almighty's throes seems a bit too "capture the flag." The whole premise of the curse bugged me a bit. Okay they are cursed to immorally fight Azazel's minions and then become one. That seems a bit cross purpose to me. While it's very, very clear that Claire does a huge amount of research and could probably unearth an ancient site herself, the cranky in me gets hung up on these obstacles to suspension of disbelief.
I also liked how Claire made this story a little more ecumenical. More about a creator being than a Christian GOD. The whole Azazal capturing these sacred objects and he has the right to take the Almighty's throes seems a bit too "capture the flag." The whole premise of the curse bugged me a bit. Okay they are cursed to immorally fight Azazel's minions and then become one. That seems a bit cross purpose to me. While it's very, very clear that Claire does a huge amount of research and could probably unearth an ancient site herself, the cranky in me gets hung up on these obstacles to suspension of disbelief.
Who am I to question the Almighty's logic in cursing Templars?
I happened to be reading this book as the British were verifying the remains found by a construction crew as those of British King Richard III. Why would that have any bearing on this tale? Well, Chloe and her brother are archaeologists working on the remains of a castle. It added a certain contemporaneous quality to a paranormal romance. I mean if they find ancient kings right off the highway, is it any less likely that they'll find purported artifacts of power?
I happened to be reading this book as the British were verifying the remains found by a construction crew as those of British King Richard III. Why would that have any bearing on this tale? Well, Chloe and her brother are archaeologists working on the remains of a castle. It added a certain contemporaneous quality to a paranormal romance. I mean if they find ancient kings right off the highway, is it any less likely that they'll find purported artifacts of power?
I enjoy the series and I really enjoyed Lucan. Highly recommend.
FMI or to Buy: Amazon
Also Available at Barnes and Noble
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