SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Enslaved" by Elisabeth Naughton

CHARACTERS:
Gryphon
Maelea

SUMMARY:
Gryphon is one of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that protect the human race from demons of another realm.  Gryphon is rescued from the Underworld where he encounters devastation and trauma that leaves him emotionally scarred.  He feels dirty, unworthy, and ashamed.  After being rescued from Hell by his brother, Orpheus, in Enraptured, he is left enraged and out-of-control.  He is isolated and estranged from his closest friends and family.  

Maelea is an anomaly. She is the product of a deception that Zeus plays on  Persephone, Hades' wife.   Although she is the daughter of a god, she is condemned to immortality on Earth and pursued by Hades.  Her only goal is to be worthy enough to gain entry into Mount Olympus.

This is the story of two wounded outcasts finding each other and trying to shed their demons (not to mention the demons dispatched from Hell).  Their adventure solidifies their bond and the relationship is explosive.

REVIEW:
Elisabeth Naughton's books have become a bit of addiction for me.  I have read 9 of her books in 16 days.  Enslaved is the fifth book in her Eternal Guardian series.  This review encapsulates my feelings about the entire series.  I was first drawn to these books because of the connection to mythology.  With that focus, clearly this was going to be a light, fun, romantic read, right?  Yes, and more.  Embedded in the fanciful mythology are serious themes - betrayal, loss, abandonment, self-esteem, and surviving trauma.  These books are steeped in emotion.

What I love about Elisabeth Naughton is that she strikes an excellent balance between action and emotion, thrill and suspense.  Her characters are well-defined, each struggling with a complex emotional issue all within the story of gods, furies, and guardians.  The characters, despite the extraordinary powers, feel real.  

IN A NUTSHELL: 
This series, and particularly this book, is worthy of your time and attention and gets my highest recommendation.


Thanks you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC.