What do you think?
Rate this book
Mythos Legacy #2
Pure Sacrifice
To save his race, he must keep the chosen virgin pure. But she has other plans…
A shapeshifting unicorn desperate to save his race…
The last guardian of his kind, Markos Ambrostead must keep the chosen Virgin hidden and untainted. But when an attacker breaches his protective magic, he's forced to reveal himself to defend her life.
A tenacious woman who refuses to be ignored…
Celia Hawkins wishes the world would get a clue and stop treating her like she's invisible. Only one man notices her, or is that her imagination? After narrowly escaping an attempted rape, she demands answers from her mysterious rescuer—starting with why he's been following her.
Rules were made to be broken…
Markos can't risk being tempted by the Virgin, yet emboldened by his attention, Celia's determined to become his friend. Maybe more. Maybe much more. Now he must hold onto his crumbling willpower to maintain her purity—or his tribe will become extinct.
*****
Note: For adult readers--contains hot sex scenes and edgy situations.
For an introduction to the Mythos Legacy world, check out the short story Unintended Guardian!
A shapeshifting unicorn desperate to save his race…
The last guardian of his kind, Markos Ambrostead must keep the chosen Virgin hidden and untainted. But when an attacker breaches his protective magic, he's forced to reveal himself to defend her life.
A tenacious woman who refuses to be ignored…
Celia Hawkins wishes the world would get a clue and stop treating her like she's invisible. Only one man notices her, or is that her imagination? After narrowly escaping an attempted rape, she demands answers from her mysterious rescuer—starting with why he's been following her.
Rules were made to be broken…
Markos can't risk being tempted by the Virgin, yet emboldened by his attention, Celia's determined to become his friend. Maybe more. Maybe much more. Now he must hold onto his crumbling willpower to maintain her purity—or his tribe will become extinct.
*****
Note: For adult readers--contains hot sex scenes and edgy situations.
For an introduction to the Mythos Legacy world, check out the short story Unintended Guardian!
- GenresFantasyRomanceParanormal
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2015
About the author
Jami Gold
5 books452 followersDon't miss Jami's next release! Sign up at jamigold.com/mail to be notified when her next book goes on pre-order and sale!
After building a Fortress of Solitude from books in her to-be-read pile, Jami Gold moved to Arizona and decided to become a writer, where she could put her talent for making up stuff to good use, including winning the 2015 National Readers’ Choice Award in Paranormal Romance for Ironclad Devotion.
Fueled by chocolate, she writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales that range from dark to humorous, but one thing remains the same: Normal need not apply. Just ask her family—and zombie cat.
Visit Jami at jamigold.com for more information & to connect with her on social media!
Concerned about the content of her books? Get content guidance and advisory information here.
After building a Fortress of Solitude from books in her to-be-read pile, Jami Gold moved to Arizona and decided to become a writer, where she could put her talent for making up stuff to good use, including winning the 2015 National Readers’ Choice Award in Paranormal Romance for Ironclad Devotion.
Fueled by chocolate, she writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales that range from dark to humorous, but one thing remains the same: Normal need not apply. Just ask her family—and zombie cat.
Visit Jami at jamigold.com for more information & to connect with her on social media!
Concerned about the content of her books? Get content guidance and advisory information here.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 13, 2015
I stayed up Way past my bedtime to finish this. Fun and sweet. Love is Triumphant!! :-D
Baddies all got what they had coming in a satisfying way.
Have tissues ready for Christmas break in Iowa. (sniffles)
first 40 or 45% of the book was pretty PG/PG-13 (but still Hot). Last half of the book definitely rated R.
other comments from my household:
Husband - did not read, but rates it 5 stars ;-) Says he is looking forward to me reading the next book in the series. (tehehe)
Corgi Dog - Loves Molly but thinks that a Corgi would have been better than a border Collie in that spot (I told him he was being self centered, but he just demanded more pets and a biscuit and said that was his comment on the story)
Baddies all got what they had coming in a satisfying way.
Have tissues ready for Christmas break in Iowa. (sniffles)
first 40 or 45% of the book was pretty PG/PG-13 (but still Hot). Last half of the book definitely rated R.
other comments from my household:
Husband - did not read, but rates it 5 stars ;-) Says he is looking forward to me reading the next book in the series. (tehehe)
Corgi Dog - Loves Molly but thinks that a Corgi would have been better than a border Collie in that spot (I told him he was being self centered, but he just demanded more pets and a biscuit and said that was his comment on the story)
August 17, 2015
If you are a book addict as I am, you will be familiar with the exquisite torture of finding a book that is pure enjoyment to read (even if the emotional ride is a roller coaster) and then discovering that you are coming to the end, that there are fewer and fewer pages – or electrons - between your finger and the back cover.
This is my happy problem with Pure Sacrifice. I don’t - I didn't - want it to end.
Look, I’m a guy and most of you are probably women deciding whether or not to buy Jami Gold's excellent novel. I can’t tell you what type of guys you find sexy in a fantasy sort of way, or what heroines you identify with – or don’t - but secretly want to be. For me, Markos is a man (well, he isn’t a man, he’s a unicorn with a man shape) I’d dearly want to be. Celia is a woman I’d deeply enjoy to know and to bed. Smart, kind and sexy. I’m married and happily so, so I’m not trading mine in but … a look in the window won’t hurt, will it?
Seriously, as one teacher of writers puts it: “every romance will have a conflict rooted in power. The heroine needs something from the hero and vice versa.” As a guy, I get bored with a steady diet of space operas, power struggles, shot-em-ups, or pirates and aliens. What I relish about Pure Sacrifice, now the third of Ms. Gold’s books I’ve read, is how detailed, yet how natural, she makes the struggle between the Markos, whose need to save his race is embodied in Celia, and Celia, who needs to find a cause to believe in and a person to believe in her.
The play of emotions, trust, and misunderstandings make Pure Sacrifice a wonderful tale. You will enjoy discovering what they need from each other and how those needs are fulfilled … or are not.
My disclaimer: I've sent Ms. Gold's website for writers a few emails, but I don't know her. She did not ask me to review her book, which I bought.
This is my happy problem with Pure Sacrifice. I don’t - I didn't - want it to end.
Look, I’m a guy and most of you are probably women deciding whether or not to buy Jami Gold's excellent novel. I can’t tell you what type of guys you find sexy in a fantasy sort of way, or what heroines you identify with – or don’t - but secretly want to be. For me, Markos is a man (well, he isn’t a man, he’s a unicorn with a man shape) I’d dearly want to be. Celia is a woman I’d deeply enjoy to know and to bed. Smart, kind and sexy. I’m married and happily so, so I’m not trading mine in but … a look in the window won’t hurt, will it?
Seriously, as one teacher of writers puts it: “every romance will have a conflict rooted in power. The heroine needs something from the hero and vice versa.” As a guy, I get bored with a steady diet of space operas, power struggles, shot-em-ups, or pirates and aliens. What I relish about Pure Sacrifice, now the third of Ms. Gold’s books I’ve read, is how detailed, yet how natural, she makes the struggle between the Markos, whose need to save his race is embodied in Celia, and Celia, who needs to find a cause to believe in and a person to believe in her.
The play of emotions, trust, and misunderstandings make Pure Sacrifice a wonderful tale. You will enjoy discovering what they need from each other and how those needs are fulfilled … or are not.
My disclaimer: I've sent Ms. Gold's website for writers a few emails, but I don't know her. She did not ask me to review her book, which I bought.
August 18, 2015
Okay, I'm going to level with you. This is the first hetero-romance I've read in a very long time where I made it past the first couple of chapters. Not only that, I stayed up well past midnight (on a school night no less) to read as far as I could.
The characters, setting and world-building meshed to create a fascinating read. Markos was amazingly conflicted in his desire to help Celia and resist succumbing to her charms. Celia for her part was strong but not at the cost of her femininity and allowed to have a full range of emotions, something I really appreciated.
The only sticking point I had was the attempted rape scene. I understand why it was used and that it's something that worked for the story, though I wish there could have been another way. Ah well, just a minor nitpick.
Overall, I loved this story and the build up between the two of them. Watching both of them learn what it means to be not just friends but lovers.
The characters, setting and world-building meshed to create a fascinating read. Markos was amazingly conflicted in his desire to help Celia and resist succumbing to her charms. Celia for her part was strong but not at the cost of her femininity and allowed to have a full range of emotions, something I really appreciated.
The only sticking point I had was the attempted rape scene. I understand why it was used and that it's something that worked for the story, though I wish there could have been another way. Ah well, just a minor nitpick.
Overall, I loved this story and the build up between the two of them. Watching both of them learn what it means to be not just friends but lovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2019
Great Concept, Decently Written
Firstly, I want to say that I'm very happy to see some virgin representation in adult romantic fiction. Nowadays it feels like everyone has to have been a Playboy to be a romantic hero. Gold obviously doesn't let this be the case in her interesting novel about were-unicorn princes and their chosen brides.
Writing wise, I have no complaints. The grammar was flawless, which is a pretty rare find in Amazon novels. Gold had strong command over her words at a basic level for most readers of adult literature. It helped that her main characters were younger (er, had younger bodies and surroundings) and she wasn't afraid to get creative with language and culture.
Personality came through a bit muddled in that regard. Gold switches perspectives throughout the novel between romantic pair Markos and Celia. Individually they are very interesting characters, both born into manipulation or abusive scenarios. Thankfully, they overcome them together and give each other strength.
However, there were many instances in this story where I felt like their attitudes and quirks were dictated to me, rather than shown. Instead of seeing Celia in her element and conducting science during the exposition, we are told that she's good at it, and only later does it come into play. Similarly, whenever Markos was upset, we are only told he's upset, but receive little physical reaction. Obviously this is not always the case. Gold did very well keeping us in the loop with their emotions. But sometimes I felt like I wasn't trusted to discover things on my own. Like all the horse puns? Yeah, I noticed them, and they were great—but were always followed with a "did you get it? It's a horse pun" kind of line, which detracted from the initial cleverness. For me, I like it when a writer knows I'm an adult and can get excited about these things on my own.
Speaking of excitement—the sex scenes were amazing. The concept of it and the integration of fantasy (and other new things) were refreshing. I'll leave it to you if you decide to buy, but they were definitely some of the best scenes in this novel.
In short, sometimes it felt like I wasn't "treated" like a competent reader who could keep up with the plot, and the characterization could have used a bit more development (also more attention to mental health would have been nice) but overall it was a good read and entertaining. Gold definitely did her job in that regard, and I don't regret buying this book.
Thanks! Keep reading!
Firstly, I want to say that I'm very happy to see some virgin representation in adult romantic fiction. Nowadays it feels like everyone has to have been a Playboy to be a romantic hero. Gold obviously doesn't let this be the case in her interesting novel about were-unicorn princes and their chosen brides.
Writing wise, I have no complaints. The grammar was flawless, which is a pretty rare find in Amazon novels. Gold had strong command over her words at a basic level for most readers of adult literature. It helped that her main characters were younger (er, had younger bodies and surroundings) and she wasn't afraid to get creative with language and culture.
Personality came through a bit muddled in that regard. Gold switches perspectives throughout the novel between romantic pair Markos and Celia. Individually they are very interesting characters, both born into manipulation or abusive scenarios. Thankfully, they overcome them together and give each other strength.
However, there were many instances in this story where I felt like their attitudes and quirks were dictated to me, rather than shown. Instead of seeing Celia in her element and conducting science during the exposition, we are told that she's good at it, and only later does it come into play. Similarly, whenever Markos was upset, we are only told he's upset, but receive little physical reaction. Obviously this is not always the case. Gold did very well keeping us in the loop with their emotions. But sometimes I felt like I wasn't trusted to discover things on my own. Like all the horse puns? Yeah, I noticed them, and they were great—but were always followed with a "did you get it? It's a horse pun" kind of line, which detracted from the initial cleverness. For me, I like it when a writer knows I'm an adult and can get excited about these things on my own.
Speaking of excitement—the sex scenes were amazing. The concept of it and the integration of fantasy (and other new things) were refreshing. I'll leave it to you if you decide to buy, but they were definitely some of the best scenes in this novel.
In short, sometimes it felt like I wasn't "treated" like a competent reader who could keep up with the plot, and the characterization could have used a bit more development (also more attention to mental health would have been nice) but overall it was a good read and entertaining. Gold definitely did her job in that regard, and I don't regret buying this book.
Thanks! Keep reading!
July 27, 2017
Markos, Celia Hawkins, Molly (black and white Border Collie) miss "Auntie" and yet there are many friends that are waiting in the wings for Celia to meet.
More love than she and Markos can ever keep to themselves!
The magic they create goes out to the lands of mythos and earth to heal both lands.
A page turner, and again I started with book 2 and need to contact the author and see if she is interested in allowing me to peek at book 1. Lol
More love than she and Markos can ever keep to themselves!
The magic they create goes out to the lands of mythos and earth to heal both lands.
A page turner, and again I started with book 2 and need to contact the author and see if she is interested in allowing me to peek at book 1. Lol
August 22, 2015
As you can see, I had a hard time putting this book down. I give it a solid 4.5 out of five stars.
It misses five stars simply because I feel like the depth of these characters is questionable. I like them, adore them.
I love the Mythos Plane and I can't wait to discover more about it. I enjoyed the brief mention of the first book's heroine and the obvious hint toward the heroine (a fairy) of the next book. This is a perfect sort of series - where each story stands alone but the characters may appear in the other novels.
These unicorns are seriously awesome! There are no rainbows here.
Another reason for me rounding DOWN is because the plot felt predictable to me. This could be because the author added in the right amount of detail and foreshadowing and since I'm also a writer, I connected the dots. This is a .1 star demerit when the writing and world-building is so amazing.
Yes, there are erotic scenes. I expected that and tended to skim them.
The first scene in the book will raise the hair on your arm and slam your sensibilities into a brick wall. If you're interested in mythical creatures and don't mind heart-pounding romance, you'll definitely want to check out the latest by Jami Gold.
It misses five stars simply because I feel like the depth of these characters is questionable. I like them, adore them.
I love the Mythos Plane and I can't wait to discover more about it. I enjoyed the brief mention of the first book's heroine and the obvious hint toward the heroine (a fairy) of the next book. This is a perfect sort of series - where each story stands alone but the characters may appear in the other novels.
These unicorns are seriously awesome! There are no rainbows here.
Another reason for me rounding DOWN is because the plot felt predictable to me. This could be because the author added in the right amount of detail and foreshadowing and since I'm also a writer, I connected the dots. This is a .1 star demerit when the writing and world-building is so amazing.
Yes, there are erotic scenes. I expected that and tended to skim them.
The first scene in the book will raise the hair on your arm and slam your sensibilities into a brick wall. If you're interested in mythical creatures and don't mind heart-pounding romance, you'll definitely want to check out the latest by Jami Gold.
Shelved as 'shelved-not-read'
October 12, 2015Got the book as part of goodreads giveaway. Thanks to the author.
Review to come.
Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews