Book Review: Creed by Kristen Ashley

Creed
(Unfinished Heroes, Bk #2)
By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis: 
Way too young, eleven year old Tucker Creed and his six year old neighbor, Sylvie Bissenette, find they have something awful in common. Creed then decides he’s going to do everything in his limited power to shield his Sylvie from her ordeal. So he does and Creed and Sylvie form a bond that grows and blossoms with their ages.

They plot to leave their lives behind, the town they live in that will hold them down and the histories they share that, unless they break free, will bury them. Sylvie goes to their special place, Creed never shows and she doesn't see him again until it’s too late.

With Creed gone, Sylvie is forced to endure a nightmare and do the unspeakable to end it. To deal, she develops a hard shell with sharp edges that very few can break through. So when Creed again finds his Sylvie, he discovers the girl he loved is locked away and he has to find his way back into her heart without getting shredded in the process.

Goodreads
Available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Viviana's Review: 

Wow! Definitely different!  Kristen said it herself several times; this one was going to be different! The truth is the series itself is different. The series is called “Unfinished Heroes” for a reason. If you haven’t read the first book “Knight”, I highly recommend it (review here)! You can find the review for it here. “Creed” was different even within the series. Based on the name and with the focus being on the hero, you would think that in “Creed”, the hero would be in the forefront, but he isn't the main focus. She is! The heroine, Sylvie. Again, Kristen (the Author) mentioned this and hoped that fans would like it. 

I did! I believe Kristen did a great job of bringing out that raw emotions that Sylvie has had locked away for so many years. Sylvie is a product of the horrors she suffered when she was young and has dealt with it to the best of her abilities. She dealt with it by leaving it in the past. But when her past returns, she is forced to relive the pain and sorrow, all while trying to keep that hard outer shell intact.

Creed has been through hell and back and all to keep the girl he loved, loves, safe. He has tried to move on, but he can’t. He will always love his Sylvie. Even though they are apart and have been for many years, he has dealt with the separation the best way he could and kept parts of her and their love with him. You can only imagine the devastation he suffers when he finds out the truth. All this time, he’s done everything, including sacrificing his own happiness for her well being to find out that what he was promised never came to pass. 

I can’t provide you with much information as those details are part of their story. It unravels in front of you and you get to see these who these two individual people were when they were younger and together and who they have because they are apart. Circumstances beyond their control lead them down different paths which eventually bring them back, face to face. Left with no choice but to deal with the unfortunate events of their past, learn the truth and see if they have a chance at a future.

“Creed” is written mainly from Sylvie’s POV. There are many “Flashback” scenes that tell you their story. Some of my friends who absolute LOVE Kristen and her books were not very fond of the “flashbacks” scenes, but I, enjoyed seeing them when they were young, carefree and planning for the future. It needed to be done in order for the reader to fully understand not only Sylvie’s and Creed’s story but their connection.

Without spoiling it, many books have that moment of ‘misunderstanding’, or when all it takes for the characters to be together is for them to talk and ask questions, instead, they assume and then things happen. In “Creed” there’s a situation that has led many to ask, “why doesn't return to check in on her”.  I asked the same question. It’s simple enough and it would have “solved” the problem. However, life doesn't work that way. People react in the moment, make the best decisions they can based on what they know or are told and they are human, which means, mistakes are made. The “could’ve”, “should’ve” and “what ifs” are all part of life and a great story.  If you've read “Creed” and are interested in Kristen’s response to this question, you can read her answer here (must be a Goodreads member). 

For all you Knight fans. You’ll get to see a different side of Knight which I absolutely loved!! You won’t be disappointed!!

As this is an Erotica Romance.... yes, HOT!! Again, different (especially if comparing it to "Knight") but Hot, Sexy and Steamy none the less!  There was definitely some highlighting involved for when hubby reads this!

Yes, DH (dear husband) will read "Creed"! He read and loved "Knight" and is looking forward to reading the next installment. 

There are lots of raw emotions and you can imagine how a bad-ass handles raw emotions.  One of my favorite scenes is between Creed and Sylvia and all I’m saying is “Kids names”.  If you read the book, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Wow, right!? Again, raw emotion, filled with honesty, desperation, anger and well WOW!! If you haven’t, well, what are you waiting for? 

Rating: 4 Stars - Loved It!