Rating: 
Summary: HUGE disappointing hype
Review: Having just recently been introduced to Dara Joy's books and absolutely enjoyed the Matrix of Destiny Series and Tonight or Never, I was excited to hear that her new book Ritual of Proof was coming out. The reversed Regency set in the future concept totally captivated me and after reading the excerpt of the book, I could not wait to get my hands on her latest, even if it was expensive, it being a hardcover.When I started reading it, I came across a lot of strange, new words and I know that there was a glossary, for it was mentioned in the RT Magazine. Even thought I could get the gist of the meaning through the context, I'm always curious to know what it really means. So after every new word I was looking it up and it began to really distract my reading. Being the old fashioned girl that I am (only in my reading *G*) I could not get use to the "women-rule-the-world-and-must-act-like-dissolute-regency-rakes-and-men-are-submissive-nothings" theory. I tried, believe me, I tried but it was just so unnatural, even though the whole concept is interesting. The story, IMHO, was not fully developed and seemed rushed. There was hardly any character development, although I did enjoy Jorlan but he never gave me the "oh-sigh-I-just-love-this-guy" feeling. The women, who are supposedly the rulers, were I think, bitchy, uncouth and very unbearable! The sex was of course HOT (can't expect less from Ms. Joy), but if it's only the sex that can carry a book, then I kindly pass. I also missed the humor she usually put in her other books. I didn't think this book was worth it as a hardcover. ROP is hype and a very HUGE disappointing hype. I won't stop buying her books though, for I know Ms. Joy can write amazingly, wonderful books! I am eagerly awaiting Traed's story!
Rating: 
Summary: BED PRICE, Now that is something you don't see everyday
Review: I have read some of the reviews and it seems to me there are a few people who can not comprehend a wonderful storyline if it slapped them in the face. This story of Jorlan and Green involves true understanding and desire for the lovethey have. This book sold me from the first few pages till the end of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't even finish the book
Review: This book was a huge disappointment! All in all, it was just too boring to bother finishing. The characters didn't interest me at all, and the story line was entirely too predictable after a few pages. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: VERY disappointing
Review: I waited and waited for this book to be released and was highly disappointed. I have all of Dara Joys book and have often re-read them when i am alone at night. I was hoping this would have the same effect, I was wrong. After the first two chapters i was totally bored but felt I owed it to the author to finish it. never again will I spend the money on a hard cover with her name on it. Dara should stick with what she is good at and continue the story with Tread. In Ritual of Proof, the concept could have worked it the characters had more personality. Green was a cardboard copy of a tough guy that lacked the feelings needed to break though her mates insecurities. There was no climax that should have joined these two souls together.
Rating: 
Summary: TOTALLY SHOCKED & TOTALLY WEIRD
Review: I HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING A BOOK BY DARA JOY AND THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. WOMEN IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD! NICE BUT IT IS A LITTLE WEIRD FOR MY TASTE. IT WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK JUST LIKE ALL OF DARA'S BOOKS. IT JUST HAD SOME SERIOUS ROLE REVERSALS GOING ON. SENSUAL AND SEXY BUT NOT A KEEPER. WE NEED MORE ON TRAED AND THE BUNCH LETS LEAVE THESE GUYS WHERE THEY BELONG OUT IN SPACE.
Rating:
Summary: Ritual of Proof
Review: I was really disappointed with the book. The characters were not fully developed, and the story was flat. There was nothing new done in terms of characterazion she just treated the female characters like they were men and the men like they were women. I almost did not finish this book, and I normally will read her books in one day. It was not up to par in reference to her other books.
Rating: 
Summary: Somehow I expected better!
Review: The books story in it self was okay...but somehow I thought it would be much better, perhaps am just spoiled with the Matrix form of writting..who knows. Ms. Joy did do an excellent job on the secondary characters, they made me laugh quite a lot.. the love scenes...glorious sex..were fun too, very much her trade mark. It was most interesting having a regency type of story with a futuristic touch and to top it off, from the male point of view, nice touch...
Rating:
Summary: Not too bad, but could have been better.
Review: I am a big fan of Dara Joy's work and was waiting for this new book to come out along with all her other fans. But as I read I found myself not really being drawn into this world that Dara created. The premise was interesting- futuristic Regency world where women dominate. Unlike others who felt that there was no character development, I thought differently. Slowly, throughout the book you saw each character learn to depend and trust their partners more and more. Some felt that Green manipulated Jorlan and did not really love him, but I thought that was not the case. From the beginning you saw the chances she took for him, because she knew how special he was. She nurtured him and gave him the room to grow as a person and as a man. Just because she did not throw herself at his feet and declare undying love, does not mean she did not love him. Green was a woman with many responsibilities who let actions speak for her in concern to her relationship to Jorlan. So, I feel that I have to defend the characters since they are getting bashed. No, it was not the characters I had trouble with, it was the storyline. Dara never really went in depth about the Snesitive issue, Forus being alive or even why Claudine hated her, for she was the bad "guy" in the book. There were many loose ends in the book, and by the end you are left with no real sense of closure. Yes, Green and Jorlan found each other, but what does there coming together mean for Forus? And what are Green's true abilities? This, added to the fact the glossary was a little bit too extensive for my taste (you had to go and check the back of the book every few pages or so), interfered from me giving this book a higher rating. Like I said the book was not too bad, but could have been much better. Hopefully Dara will consider a sequel because ROP sorely needs it.
Rating:
Summary: How to review this one?
Review: I'm giving this one three stars. I didn't like it as well as I have liked all of her other books. I never got "into it." The plot reads like a recipe: In Regency England (with its rakes and virgins), reverse the male and female positions (including all of their actions and beliefs). Place onto another world where there has been genetic tampering/engineering in the past. Mix in an older/strong/sexually active female of the ruling class, add the younger/shy/virgin male. Add a villain to the mixture (of course, female). Beat the mixture well to confuse the reader. I couldn't get past the supposedly hunk/Jorlan acting like a simpering "I won't marry anyone" virgin. I couldn't get past the "I know better than you" position Green took throughout the book. I couldn't get past the reversal of the male/female actions. I particularly couldn't see why virginity in the male meant anything in the plot when it was still the female who bore the resulting children. (Perhaps Joy should have changed this, too. At least the mix might have made more sense.) The wedding night was definitely not one of my favorite scenes. (A virgin tied to a bed and raped.) Whether the VICTIM is male or female doesn't matter - it's still not something I enjoy reading about.
Rating:
Summary: Personal Preference
Review: I've just finished Dara Joy's RITUAL OF PROOF and the bottom line is that I found the characters in this book to be, umm, well, kind of ... icky. However, I can certainly understand why many other reviewers loved this book. Ms. Joy gives her readers yet another well-written romantic fantasy, and I applaud her imagination and willingness to push the envelope. It must have been a real challenge to invent a society where gender roles are so completely reversed. Romantic fiction has moved to strong heroines & multidimensional heroes -- a very good thing. In ROP, Ms. Joy attempts to extend this trend to its extreme. But I personally feel that her attempt backfires, that the main characters actually take a step backwards into the dark days of helpless damsels and chest-beating alpha males. Okay, so the genders are reversed, but the stereotypes are still the same. I'm still a huge Dara Joy fan and look forward to her next book. That I didn't enjoy ROP is simpy a matter of personal preference.
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