Gabriel's Rapture: 2 (Gabriel's Inferno)

Thoroughly enjoyed Garbriel's Inferno that i could not wait to read Gabriel's Rapture. Got it at 9am and finished it at night. Enjoyed every page. It turns very sad in places but what an ending. I do hope SR continues their story. The book continues where Inferno finished and what a perfect time they have together, then back to normality and all changes with drastic results which leads to lots of heartache that wasnt indended or needed. I just had to finish the book in one go to releive myself of the pain, but so glad i did. you wont be disappointed. Wonderfully written by SR again.

An absolutely wonderful sequel to Gabriel's Inferno. These books moved me to want to be a better person,learn more and live life to the full. The Professor has his issues,but he's very endearing none the less. It's so very well written,i adore it. I have been recommending this and G.I to friends and family and i'm pleased to say they have fallen for the story just as much as i did. An amazing read from start to finish.

I'm rather reluctant to write this review. I've been putting it off for a day really thinking about what I wanted to say, finally here we go.Gabriel's Inferno was one of my favorite books of the year, I couldn't wax on about it enough, so I was so looking forward to Rapture, so much that I downloaded it at 12am on the morning it was released. Right from the first few pages I knew that this book wasn't going to live up to it's predecessor. Don't get me wrong there is a lot of really good writing, Sylvain Reynard is a talent there is no denying that, he continues to weave his intellectual magic through his prose, (though his narrative voice isn't as sarcastic as previously, which I miss) and Professor Gabriel Emerson is as entertaining as ever, intense, sexy, infuriating at times; the perfect romantic novel hero. Where this book fell down for me was in the dialogue, I, more often than I'd have wished, found it immature and at times pedantic. The whole book also felt very rushed, or maybe just badly thought out/edited. For instance there were pages given over to scenarios that did not particularly moved the plot along or added any value to the experience,(Paul in Vermont at Christmas, wrapping presents, why?!) but then mere mentions/asides of important scene which we never got to read (Gabriel's final discussion with Paulina, I would have been really interested in being "present" for that chat), I'm not sure if we needed a word for word account of Gabriel's Uffizi lecture, yes it gave Reynard a chance to impress us with his knowledge/thorough research on the subject but it's a specialist topic, one in which not every reader would necessarily have been interested. I would have like to have read the scene where Gabriel had dinner with his family when he returned home for the Rachel's wedding and had to explain his actions; these are the kind of editing choices I didn't understand.Finally my feeling are that Rapture was a contractual obligation that needed to be delivered on time, with a certain amount of pages and tick certain amount of boxes and that is what it does; but it doesn't feel "loved" the way Inferno did, I wonder if there was maybe too much editorial interference, because unlike Inferno which started it's life on a fan fiction site and as such was completely the work of the author, Rapture might have had more imput from outside sources ie Omnific Publishing. If you've already started the series then it would be a disservice not to complete it and as such I am glad I took the time to read Rapture, I just wish it's effect on me were more reminiscent of Inferno (I read that book cover to cover around 4 times!) I do though look forward to reading whatever else Reynard comes out with after this.

In my humble opinion, this and it's predecessor Gabriel's Inferno gives the Fifty Shades trilogy a run for its money (and I loved Fifty Shades). It is far better written and Professor Gabriel O. Emerson has stolen my heart from Mr. Grey.This book was as fabulous as the first and I couldn't put it down. Few books make me cry, but Gabriel and Julianne's continued journey managed it once again (I sobbed buckets reading Gabriel's Inferno much to my husband's amusement). I feel a bit bereft having finished it! I sincerely hope Sylvain Reynard writes another book. I'd like to think The Prof has more to say...

I felt that this sequel is at least as good as Gabriel's Inferno. I really felt the pain and anguish that each of the main characters endured in their search for true love, compassion and redemption.The story itself is truly absorbing and even more so when you envisage the backdrop. I enjoy a book that enables you to picture the scenery so that you can imagine yourself there and Sylvain Reynard has a wonderful ability to do just that.

It was a full follow on to Gabriel ‘s inferno. A continuation of the story. Very good.

I jest, of course.One word for this book; erratic. Some of the content is wonderful, 5 star quality stuff, some of it is annoying, and some of it is actually a bit cringey.If you've read Gabriel's Inferno, which was brilliant, then I do recommend you read Gabriel's Rapture, because ultimately it is a satisfying conclusion, but be prepared to wince and huff a bit along the way.****** SPOILERS FROM HERE ******WHAT WORKSThe fantastic connection that the author develops between Julia and Gabriel. It's astonishing. It's also the reason for so many 5 star reviews.The literary refernces and the fabulously romantic settings.Some of the writing and some of the concepts the author explores are wonderful.WHAT DOESN'T WORKIs it me, or was Gabriel so over-the-top redeemed by the end that he seemed meek and emasculated? Some of Gabriel's "caring" was, quite frankly, a bit back-away-slowly-dysfunctional. His behaviour became so over-romanticised that it became a cringeworthy parody of what women expect from a romance rather than a depiction of a genuine and real relationship.Some of the dialogue, particularly some of the romantic stuff uttered by Gabriel, was so over-the-top that any right-minded woman would be booking a plane ticket to Paul's place, where at least she could be sure of having a sensible conversation.Both their behaviour was so baffling at times that even I, who live in a dream world (!), couldn't suspend my disbelief.The obstacle to their relationship felt really contrived and much of the story was driven by (I can hardly say it) The Misunderstanding. (Wash my mouth out)Christa. Where is she? The story lacked that satisfying "Grr! Foiled again!", stamps foot, and exits momentI am not a fan of the "Sweet + virginal + Weak = Good" equation of romantic heroines. Got to be honest, Julia could be really pathetic and annoying. I thought her goodness became cloying, and some of her expectations ridiculous. Similarly I think the author overused the religious themes to try to create a sense of of the spiritual in their relationship.Overall, it resulted in that kind of overdone Susan Elizabeth Phillips-esque effect where the author just goes too far and tries too hard. I found the inclusion of the miscarried baby, the Franciscans, orphans, homeless etc etc. weirdly manipulative and overly sentimental. What man puts a scan picture of a miscarried baby in a frame on his desk? It's just too weird. I also felt that I was being preached to at times, especially regarding a pro-life agenda. Either write religious pamphlets or romance novels. Please don't try and combine them both.That said, the ending was very satisfying which, we all know, causes women to leap to the computer in their droves to offer up 5 star reviews as tokens of their thanks. Sorry. I wish I could do that, but it just wasn't good enough.RECOMMENDATIONWant another superb college romance like Gabriel's Inferno?Try EasyStunning.

I fell in love with Professor Emerson in Gabriel's Inferno when it was the chosen read for our book club, naturally I had to read the sequel to find out what happened to Gabriel and Julia and wasn't disappointed, couldn't put the book down. I lived through the pain, frustration and, most of all, the love they felt for each other. I've never laughed, cried and shouted so much at a book like I did with Gabriel's Rapture. Can't begin to describe how I passionate I feel about this beautiful love story and I know the book club girls feel the same way. We can't get enough of the Professor and hope Sylvain Reynard takes pity on us and writes a third book.

Credo che non ci siano parole adeguate per esprimere quanto abbia amato Gabriel's Rapture, sequel dell'acclamato Gabriel's Inferno. Quest'ultimo ha riscosso un enorme successo in America e in Europa e tutti i lettori di Sylvain Reynard erano in trepidazione per l'uscita del sequel. Sono contenta di dire che Gabriel's Rapture ha soddisfatto ogni mia aspettativa ed è andato ben oltre. Gabriel's Rapture riprende da dove Gabriel's Inferno ci aveva lasciati: Il Professor Gabriel e la sua amata Julia stanno trascorrendo la loro vacanza nella città di Firenze e qui Julia sperimenta la passione dell'amore e del sesso, grazie a Gabriel. Ben presto però la loro relazione viene messa alla prova dalle regole dell'Università, dall'invidia di altri studenti e dalla gelosia di un' ex-amante. E sopratutto ci sono dei fantasmi del passato che non smettono di tormentare i due innamorati. Riuscirà l'amore a trionfare o Gabriel sarà costretto a seguire il destino di Dante e a perdere la sua amata Beatrice?Sylvain Reynard non delude mai con il suo modo di scrivere unico, che appassiona il lettore tenendolo ancorato alle pagine del libro. Ho amato seguire la storia di Gabriel e Julia, e sono rimasta profondamente toccata da come la loro relazione si è evoluta. Mi sono commossa in molti momenti durante la storia, perchè il modo di scrivere di Sylvain Reynard ti tocca il cuore, riesce a fari sentire ciò che i personaggi stessi provano, il loro amore, le loro preoccupazioni, i loro dolori; è come se il lettore diventasse partecipante attivo in ciò che accade. Sia Gabriel che Julia vanno incontro a un cammino di redenzione che avrà i suoi ostacoli, ma che li renderà più forti nell' amarsi e nell' amare gli altri, nel perdonarsi e nel perdonare.Come in Gabriel's Inferno, anche in Gabriel's Rapture sono molti i riferimenti alla letteratura,( in primis la Divina Commedia e La Vita Nuova di Dante Alighieri), alla musica e all'arte e ancora una volta mi sono lasciata trascinare dalla loro bellezza e istruire dalla loro grandiosità.Gabriel's Rapture è l'ultimo volume della serie, ma l'autore ha lasciato aperte ancora molte strade da esplorare. Che ci possa essere un terzo volume in futuro? Lo spero, perché non sono pronta a lasciare andare Gabriel e Julia. Cosa certa è che questa serie mi ha segnata profondamente e non potrò dimenticarla.Lasciatevi rapire dalla toccante e meravigliosa storia del Professor Gabriel e della sua amata Julia. Non vorrete tornare indietro...

This story is so well written that I could feel the love and pain that the characters felt. I could not put it down ! Sylvia Reynard has once again written and amazing story that makes you feel like you are right there in the book!

When I first read Fifty Shades of Grey it was out of curiosity since romance was not my genre of fiction reading, I then read it several times, bypassing the bdsm (was educational) but it does not float my boat, thought this was an exceptional and erotic love story and the best romance story I ever read. Subsequently when I could read no more, I suffered from withdrawal and bought several authors who all came out of the woodwork to capture the FSOG audience, I threw all those books in the garbage. There are currently 6 authors I will re-read in this quality of romance and Sylvain Reynard (SR) is at the top of the list. Not into bdsm romance, chic lit, YA, paranormal, vampires etc.Stumbled over the Gabriel Inferno/Rapture and stayed up till the break of dawn enthralled with this erotic love story, with an intellectual point of view. I love books that have a takeaway, and the Gabriel series did that for me, I am so intrigued with Dante and Beatrice and Renaissance art and literature I was left wanting to know more. Not particularly inclined to poetry but am open to experience what I never learned. Some might balk at the religious inference but the life of Dante was during the 13th century was when religion and politics influenced each other, keeping in mind Dante's questioning of his life and his redemption was based on biblical teachings and it was obvious Dante was of the catholic faith. I loved the life of St. Francis of Assisi even though I am not of the catholic faith; the current Pope is an example of St. Francis. The Gabriel series made me yearn to visit Assisi.I thought SR captured the relationship between Dante and Beatrice and skilfully wove it into the lives of the Professor and Julianne and made it current. Who did not fall in love with this troubled, enigmatic, sexy Professor? His sartorial elegance seemed to be a cover for how conflicted he feels about himself and his demons. I loved that he was not a pretty package and that he was so highly educated and intellectual and enjoyed the finer things in life, some of which was not so complimentary. I was somewhat perturbed by the way he `worshiped' Julia, as if she was the epitome of perfection, which she was not. But it later turns out he was seeking redemption - maybe thru her own goodness and spiritual beliefs, he somehow finds the better parts of himself as his love for her evolves and escalates into a heated affair to the exclusion of jeopardizing his job and tenure the University of Toronto. Thought the Professor's choice of radio stations were boring......CBC and BBC!! I loved that the Manulife building is a place I have known and all the familiar sights and sounds of Toronto, what a pleasant change to most books written in and around the U.S.Julia with her innocence and her abiding love for Gabriel who captured her heart at 17 and influenced her career as a Dante specialist, takes us on her tumultuous journey from her troubled childhood to becoming Gabriel's post grad student unbeknownst to him at the time. I loved that she never gave up on him no matter what, or maybe until she thought he deliberately broke her heart. I loved all the intellectual bits and pieces and the reality of politics even in academia.I loved the whole premise of love, forgiveness, faith, redemption which gives us all hope thru our own belief system. I loved the whole courtship until it was no more, loved all of the experiences in Italy, made me want to pack my suitcase and take off and go drink some wine in Italy. I loved the storytelling between these two and how healing her love was to Gabriel who was trying to escape his demons. Courtship today is unheard of.Looking forward to the release of Gabriel's Redemption and the continuation of this most passionate, romantic love story that just grabs your attention from the first go and doesn't let you go. Well done SR, you are a keeper, now have purchased the whole trilogy for my bookshelf.

Love this author,is the best...Gabriel Emerson and Julianne Moore is the best history of love and Sylvain Reynard has a large sensitivity to write.

Scroll to /***/ for a review in Italian.I feel like there aren't enough words to fully express how much I loved this book. Gabriel's Rapture, the anticipated sequel to Gabriel's Inferno, lived up to all my expectations and gave me so much more than I could hope for.From the moment I set eyes on the first page, I couldn't tear myself away from the book, I just wanted to keep reading and never stop, because the beautiful and touching story of Gabriel and Julia captivated me in a way that no other book ever did.I was deeply moved by how the relationship between Gabriel and Julia evolves in Gabriel's Rapture. I couldn't help but shed a few tears in certain scenes because the emotional journey they go through truly left a mark on me. The love they have for each other is overwhelming and while reading you can really feel it. They bring their love to an even higher lever, by overcoming all the obstacles that are thrown into their path, by learning the real meaning of trust and forgiveness, by embracing the beauty of loving unconditionally despite our failings.This is a story that shows that if we let go of our pride and let love surround us, we're able to find our way through any obstacle and reach forgiveness and grace, or rather, they will find us, once we're willing to let them in. A story that touches your heart and stays with you forever."I would have done whatever it took to save you." His voice and his expressions were grave. "Even if that meant I had to spend eternity in Hell."Thank you, Sylvain Reynard, for giving us such a beautiful story. I'll never forget it./***/Credo che non ci siano parole adeguate per esprimere quanto abbia amato Gabriel's Rapture, sequel dell'acclamato Gabriel's Inferno. Quest'ultimo ha riscosso un enorme successo in America e in Europa e tutti i lettori di Sylvain Reynard erano in trepidazione per l'uscita del sequel. Sono contenta di dire che Gabriel's Rapture ha soddisfatto ogni mia aspettativa ed è andato ben oltre. Gabriel's Rapture riprende da dove Gabriel's Inferno ci aveva lasciati: Il Professor Gabriel e la sua amata Julia stanno trascorrendo la loro vacanza nella città di Firenze e qui Julia sperimenta la passione dell'amore e del sesso, grazie a Gabriel. Ben presto però la loro relazione viene messa alla prova dalle regole dell'Università, dall'invidia di altri studenti e dalla gelosia di un' ex-amante. E sopratutto ci sono dei fantasmi del passato che non smettono di tormentare i due innamorati. Riuscirà l'amore a trionfare o Gabriel sarà costretto a seguire il destino di Dante e a perdere la sua amata Beatrice?Sylvain Reynard non delude mai con il suo modo di scrivere unico, che appassiona il lettore tenendolo ancorato alle pagine del libro. Ho amato seguire la storia di Gabriel e Julia, e sono rimasta profondamente toccata da come la loro relazione si è evoluta. Mi sono commossa in molti momenti durante la storia, perchè il modo di scrivere di Sylvain Reynard ti tocca il cuore, riesce a fari sentire ciò che i personaggi stessi provano, il loro amore, le loro preoccupazioni, i loro dolori; è come se il lettore diventasse partecipante attivo in ciò che accade. Sia Gabriel che Julia vanno incontro a un cammino di redenzione che avrà i suoi ostacoli, ma che li renderà più forti nell' amarsi e nell' amare gli altri, nel perdonarsi e nel perdonare.Come in Gabriel's Inferno, anche in Gabriel's Rapture sono molti i riferimenti alla letteratura,( in primis la Divina Commedia e La Vita Nuova di Dante Alighieri), alla musica e all'arte e ancora una volta mi sono lasciata trascinare dalla loro bellezza e istruire dalla loro grandiosità.Gabriel's Rapture è l'ultimo volume della serie, ma l'autore ha lasciato aperte ancora molte strade da esplorare. Che ci possa essere un terzo volume in futuro? Lo spero, perché non sono pronta a lasciare andare Gabriel e Julia. Cosa certa è che questa serie mi ha segnata profondamente e non potrò dimenticarla.Lasciatevi rapire dalla toccante e meravigliosa storia del Professor Gabriel e della sua amata Julia. Non vorrete tornare indietro...