Darkness Comes This Way (The Guardians of the Night #1)

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Darkness Comes This Way (The Guardians of the Night #1)

by Pixie Lynn Whitfield (Goodreads Author)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 80 ratings · 32 reviews

Zarah Duncan is a Guardian. It’s an elite job that protects humans and the untainted vampires from the real monsters: those lost to the bloodlust. Rogues infest the city. Missing humans, unsolved cases…Zarah knows what the real cause is and she’s been trained since childhood to destroy them.

But she has a haunting past that catches up one day. Zarah was Rogue once, and unt...more

Paperback, 380 pages

Published May 15th 2012 by Pixie Lynn Whitfield/CreateSpace

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2012 Debut Authors (Young Adult & Middle Grade)

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Jun 23, 2012 Tiffany rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: own, signed-books

First off I want to thank Pixie Lynn Whitfield herself for allowing me to read the finished eBook copy. THANKS!!

When I first started reading I had all these distractions AKA my nephews. When they finally went to sleep it was at 10 and i went back to reading(YAY)Welll I got sucked into the story, I stayed up until the early morning hours until I finished it.

I absolutely loved all the detail in the story. I could imagine everything in my mind esp. the characters, they felt so real. Draven was ju...more

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May 21, 2012 Elsa Carrion rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hot Vampires and Fallen Angels oh yea! And what story would be complete without the villain and in this case the roughs vampires, not hot by the way. The story characters where much older than teenagers, whom YA usually incorporates. These characters where teenagers but because they were turned years and years ago they have matured and are to me considered more adult than teenagers. However some of the decisions the characters make, make them look more like the teenager. But any way that is neit...more

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May 24, 2012 J.A. Redmerski rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a pretty good read. While at first, I had a difficult time connecting to the heroine, Zarah, (totally my fault – I always have a difficult time connecting with any breed of cop-like characters), a little further in and it was easier to like her strong and often stubborn personality. I really liked the whole concept that Whitfield created in her world of vampires and how the conflicts between the Guardians and the Rogues played out. And even though the buildup between Zarah and her partn...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Krista rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Young Adults, Teens, Vampire Lovers and Adults

Shelves: arc, young-adult, for-review-from-author

Darkness Comes This Way is about a Vampire named Zarah, in her time there are rogue vampires those that kill humans. Blood thirsty, stalkers and killers. Then there are the Guardians Vampires which protect the humans from these killer rogues. Zarah happens to be a Guardian cured from being a rogue vamp. Zarah is strong, auburn hair with beautiful skin. Don't let that fool you, Zarah is a kick butt vamp willing to lay her life down for humans to "do her job" as a Guardian.
I love this book, actual...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Laura Diamond rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for vampires. I don't care if they sparkle, if they are ugly, if they are moody, whiny, or even grumpy. I especially love 'em if they're HOT, but that goes without saying, right?

Zarah is a Guardian vampire, part of a group of immortals who keep humans safe by killing Rogue vampires. (Let me tell you, I'd very much enjoy that job, LOL!) She's a kick-ass heroine with a cold exterior. But she's got a tender heart inside.

She's paired up with Draven, another Guardian, and they're both c...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Megan - The Book Asylum rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mindless, paranormal-supernatural-fantasy

Darkness Comes This Way was an easy read; great for supernatural-loving YA readers. It had action, it had character turmoil, it had the beginnings of love, a decent villain... With that being said, I wanted more. I felt like I was reading the bones of the story with very little meat. This author is clearly capable of crafting an interesting plot with great character dynamics, but what I read barely scratched the surface of what this story could have been. I wanted a richer history of both the va...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Shanella rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-pub-review

Full disclosure - I know Pixie as a book blogger and I got her book to support her work. Even though I know her, my review is still my reflection on the story, not the person.

Darkness Come This Way is a vampire story, but I promise you there is not a single glitter in sight. Guardians are vampire fighters who seek out Rogues - vampires who have given in to bloodlust. There are strange things happening among the Rogues and Zarah and Draven are teamed together to find out what’s going on.

It’s ha...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been planning to write this review for a while. The reason I didn't right away is, I wanted some time to pass to see if I still remember it in a few months. For someone who reads hundreds of books every year, this could be a challenge. However, almost two months later I can honestly say that I am still tuned to DCTW and look forward to reading a sequel.

When I read a book, I make a mental check list.

1.Is there a strong story?
2.Are the characters compelling?
3. Is their development convinci...more

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May 23, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved Darkness Comes This Way! I couldn’t stop reading it. I’d be ready for bed and then I’d hear a voice in my head saying…just a couple more pages. Zarah’s character is a strong female vampire, who is haunted by the past. She works to protect innocent individuals from rogue vampires by hunting every night for them. She knows more about rogues than most as she was once a rogue. At night, she dreams of the horrible rogue behavior she exhibited. The story really heats up when she is teamed with...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Jazzabella ~*~ Catherine~*~ rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: YA, paranormal

I thought this book was great. The storyline of Guardian and Rogue Vampires is quite interesting with Zarah the kick ass main character a reformed Rogue with no idea how or why it happened. There are several strong supporting characters such as her brother, the crazy team leader Nathaniel who brought her back to the Guardians when she was "cured" from being a rogue, and a Guardian Draven, that she is paired up with even though Zarah and Draven can't stand each other.

It has a fast pace and plent...more

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May 21, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-june-release, romance-paranormal

Darkness Comes this Way was kindly provided to me by the wonderful Pixie Lynn Whitfield in exchange for my honest opinion.

Zarah Duncan is a reformed rogue vampire, one of a kind and changed back without knowing the reasons as to how and why. She is now a Guardian working alongside elite vampires trained to kill those who hunt and kill humans.

Draven Kinsley is a Guardian, he is gruff and unforgiving with a strong hatred for the tainted rogues, his feelings towards Zarah are of disdain and hatred;...more Darkness Comes this Way was kindly provided to me by the wonderful Pixie Lynn Whitfield in exchange for my honest opinion.

Zarah Duncan is a reformed rogue vampire, one of a kind and changed back without knowing the reasons as to how and why. She is now a Guardian working alongside elite vampires trained to kill those who hunt and kill humans.

Draven Kinsley is a Guardian, he is gruff and unforgiving with a strong hatred for the tainted rogues, his feelings towards Zarah are of disdain and hatred; he doesn’t know why she has been cured and prefers to keep her at arms length but when he is forced by his boss, Nathaniel to partner up with her he gets to know more about her past and her as a person and is surprised she is different to what he had originally assumed.

I wasn’t a Draven fan initially whatsoever (although his physical appearance was certainly appealing), I found him to be rude and horrible towards Zarah who I thought was wonderful. As the story progressed and they became closer I started to enjoy their growing friendship and found myself hoping they could be together as more; the twist on their bond was certainly interesting as well.

There were hints at a brewing romance between Zarah and Draven but nothing progressed which I found to be refreshing; the relationship wasn’t at the forefront of this story which I actually quite enjoyed. It gives me something more to look forward to in the next installment.

The general gist of the plot revolves around a group of intelligent rogues wanting to use Zarah to find a cure, there are secrets being kept and the mystery surrounding her and her miraculous cure is known to a few who want to use her for their own purposes; of course it is a lot more complex than this but I’ll avoid the details to prevent spoilers but it was intriguing and certainly different to any vampire book I have read more recently. I enjoyed the spin Ms Whitfield placed on what we generally know and read of vampires and with the possibility of a new breed of vampire/fallen angel; it is certainly an interesting concept that I am eager to learn more about.

I really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters, I especially loved Zarah’s brother Thomas; I felt for what he had been through and respected the decisions he made. The fallen angels, although their appearance was quite brief have me curious; Seth in particular.

I started to read Darkness Comes this Way and I couldn’t put it down, so I ended up finishing it in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Whitfield’s writing; it was detailed and had me engrossed from the very beginning. The pacing flowed well and I found the plot to be unique and entertaining.

All in all, if you are after an enjoyable Paranormal/Urban Fantasy that has a cast of memorable characters, a solid entertaining plot and wonderful world-building then Darkness Comes this Way is for you.

I am eager to get hold of the next book in this series.(less)

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Apr 11, 2012 Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well it seems that I’ve been reading a lot of Vampire novels recently haha, I’ve been on a bit of a kick I guess. But each one of them has been completely different. I was lucky enough to get an advanced review e-copy of Darkness Comes This Way, and I was highly intrigued from the beginning of the story.

I really, really loved the premise of this story; I think it was unique, engaging, and unlike the other Paranormal/Urban Fantasy books I’ve read before. I loved the world building, it was realis...more Well it seems that I’ve been reading a lot of Vampire novels recently haha, I’ve been on a bit of a kick I guess. But each one of them has been completely different. I was lucky enough to get an advanced review e-copy of Darkness Comes This Way, and I was highly intrigued from the beginning of the story.

I really, really loved the premise of this story; I think it was unique, engaging, and unlike the other Paranormal/Urban Fantasy books I’ve read before. I loved the world building, it was realistic and felt like this could be something that’s really going on in the world right now but we humans are none the wiser. Which is a tad bit creepy if you think about it lol. The detail was extremely well done and I was able to imagine everything easily, I also liked the fact that there is some back story to it and you’re not just sitting there wondering how certain things (that I won’t name due to being spoilers lol) came about.

I really liked Zarah, she was tough, spunky, and intelligent. She wasn’t your perfect “mary-sue” type character, she has her flaws and they’re part of what makes her real and relatable. In the beginning she starts off not really letting anyone in but as the story goes on you see her start to grow in that area and let some of her walls down which I liked a lot. I liked Draven as well, although at first I was kind of tired of him being so stand offish with Zarah but I suppose he had his reasons lol. However, I would like to know more about his background though so I’m hoping in the next installments we’ll find out more about him. And while I still really like the other characters, I think as of now Thomas (Zarah’s brother), would have to be my favorite character. I loved everything about his personality, he’s got a bit of a sarcastic streak (which I always love in my characters lol), he’s also loyal, smart, and cares about his sister’s well being.

There’s some romance in the story but it doesn’t seem out of place or take away from the main plot, I’m looking forward to seeing how it will play out in the other two books. The action was definitely not lacking in this book, there were several times when I couldn’t turn the page fast enough haha. I was thoroughly hooked all the way till the end, and speaking of the end it was kind of a cliffhanger and now I I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book to come out!

I know this isn’t the longest review but I was trying not to go into too much detail and accidentally give away spoilers lol. But I will say that overall I really enjoyed this book, and if you’re a Vampire or Paranormal/Urban Fantasy lover, or if you’re just looking for a new series to get started on, I’d definitely recommend this book!

4 Stars!
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Jun 04, 2012 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indie-or-self-pubbed

It's hard to give an unbiased review of this book, since I know and absolutely adore the author. But, because I know she wouldn't ever want me to sugar-coat it, I'll try. Flaws and all.

Darkness Comes This Way is one of those rare good books to come out in recent years about vampires. Strong plotline, likeable characters (especially Thomas, Zarah's rogue brother) and a ton of action. It's easily readable, and you'll find yourself wanting to know what happens next at the end of every chapter. You'...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Ryan Snyder rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well, my best friend Tiffany got acopy of this book from the Author. So of course I got to read it. let me tell you, this book was awesome. It was an unedited version so i didn't pay much attention to the very few and very far between typos. (there were like 4 out of the entire book. no big deal-io)

Ok, I loved Zarah and her checkered past. Plus, if you know me, you know i LOVE BA ninja assassin chicks. (Wish i was one. D:) Anyway, she kicked but and didn't even stop to take names! Ah! Also, i l...more

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May 10, 2012 Anjelica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-releases, arcs-from-author, angel, paranormal, ya, wish-list, romance, vampire

I've read quite a few vampire books and a lot of them are the same as every vampire cliche out there, yet some have deviated from cliches and came up with something original and brilliant. I was lucky enough to get an advanced review copy from Pixie. Even from the beginning, when I read the summary, I was curious how she would put a spin on the vampire tale, I don't want to give anything away but this story is different than anything I have ever read on vampires and it is truly amazing.
I was ho...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Josh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, kindle, urban_fantasy, read_2012

I should start this review by stipulating that 'Darkness Comes This Way' is a little left of centre from my typical reading. As a result I wasn't sure what to expect from this vampire/supernatural novel. Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are dominated by their emotions, every action has a consequence, and the action scenes read like they are lifted from a big budget choreographed kung-fu flick - yep, they're that good.

One of the core strengths to 'Darkness Comes This Way' i...more I should start this review by stipulating that 'Darkness Comes This Way' is a little left of centre from my typical reading. As a result I wasn't sure what to expect from this vampire/supernatural novel. Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are dominated by their emotions, every action has a consequence, and the action scenes read like they are lifted from a big budget choreographed kung-fu flick - yep, they're that good.

One of the core strengths to 'Darkness Comes This Way' is the emphasis on a family dynamic separated by violence and mistrust which slowly forms as the characters define themselves by their actions. Zarah shows more heart and compassion than most vampire protagonists I've read while still dishing out gore with grace. She's a misplaced individual searching for the truth while trying to maintain some semblance of who she should be. Going Rogue and back to Guardian will do that. This could almost be deemed as a coming of age tale of love, loss and quest for a the truth which could derail all she knows.

Whitfield blends Humans, Guardians, Rogues, Fallen Angels, and something altogether different into a melting pot of suspense, action and tense scenes which left me on the edge of my seat. Never knowing how a Guardian/Rogue encounter will end, or how the Zarah/Draven dynamic plays out adds a little spice to each chapter.

Violence, cruelty, ambitions of domination - the parallels from real world to vampiric fiction are easily defined. Whitfield does a good job at making this tale of fiction read plausible in real life by subtlety linking a likeness to the world we live in. This touch and a revelation later in the book regarding the purpose of the Rogues are highlights of 'Darkness Comes This Way'.

Overall, this an easily readable and enjoyable form of escapism, one where a reader will be able to suspend his/her belief long enough to become enthralled in the world Whitfield has created and the fantasy-like characters that inhibit it. 4 stars.

This review originally appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
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Jul 05, 2012 Amy The Book Diaries rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: on-my-kindle

www.the-book-diaries.blogspot.com

I really liked this story. It grabs you right from the beginning with a tough kick ass character. Zarah is different than most vampires, she was able to be cured from being Rogue. She now spends her days finding other rogue vampires and killing them. When she has been forced to team up with another Guardian vampire, Draven, everything changes. While on a hunt, Zarah and Draven are ambushed by Rogues, not just any rogue but her brother Thomas. Thomas will help Zar...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Laura *Little Read Riding Hood* rated it 3 of 5 stars

Vampires, Angels, and Intrigue ... Oh my!

Not really sure how the cover fits into the story ... but that is not the end all, be all of a book for me. Especially as I read most of my books on my Kindle anymore. But it is something I still consider when browsing at a local book store, so I figure it warrants a quick comment.

Can I just say I loved the character's names? Zarah and Draven, if I was going to have kids, I know what their names would be! As it stands, naming my next dog Draven will have...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Breanne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, angels, paranormal, young-adult, 2012-reads

I really wanted to like this. But... unfortunately that was not the case. I found that I was having trouble concentrating on what was going on in the book and fully enjoying it. I was constantly speed reading through it, wondering, "When is this going to get to the good part?" It finally picked up towards the end with the two groups of vampires engaging in a full on war. But vampires along with fallen angels was too much for me to handle in one book. Not my cup of tea. I just feel like it didn't...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Tia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was actually pretty impressed with this novel. It was well written and very thought out. I wished the heroine was a little more bad ass but hopefully that comes with the next novel Definitely a good start to the series.

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Apr 12, 2012 Pixie added it · (Review from the author)

I wrote it. I don't think it's very fair of me to rate my own work, so I'm trying not to do that if I don't absolutely have to. I just hope that others enjoy it as much as I had fun writing this. :)

<3
Pixie

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Sep 23, 2012 Hmr28 marked it as to-read

I'd like to read this book but it is not available for the Nook and I don't buy or read Amazon books.

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Jun 26, 2012 Jen {The Book Twins} marked it as to-read

One part of why I want to read this is because we share the same surname :P

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May 14, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

looks and sound awesome cant wait to read it..cant wait to get my hands on it.

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May 14, 2012 fern rated it 5 of 5 stars

looks and sound awesome cant wait to read it..

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May 20, 2012 Mirvan Ereon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-by-author-friends, books-i-got-for-free, got-to-review

Currently reading. To be reviewed soon.

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Jun 19, 2012 Jenese (Readers Confession) marked it as to-read

Shelves: urban-fantasy

*Won a copy from the author!

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Jul 20, 2012 Bayley rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire

...meh...

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Sep 28, 2012 Nina Rose rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: abadoned, my-eyes-bled, i-shouldn-t-have-pick-it-up, urban-fantasy, vampires

Stilted writing, one dimensional characters with very little personality, way too many similarities with the movie Underworld, you know the one starring Kate Beckingsale. I could never quite get into it.

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Nov 03, 2012 Mandi ferguson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: deserves-to-be-read-again

this book was really easy to get into and understand. cant wait for book 2

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About Pixie Lynn Whitfield

I’m a feisty red-headed author from Texas with an unhealthy obsession to the strange and quirky. Sometimes considered as eccentric and a little spunky, but mostly just a short dork that has a love for books, history, and the dark. I am married with three step-kids, and when I’m not writing, I can usually be found with my nose stuck in a book or in the blogosphere.

I write mostly YA--Paranormal/Urb...more

More about Pixie Lynn Whitfield...

Books by Pixie Lynn Whitfield

Through These Wicked Nights (The Guardians of the Night #2)

The Night Unleashed: A Short Story Collection

Across the Stars and Ashes (The Guardians of the Night #3)

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Quotes from Darkness Comes This Way

“You’re fearless.”
Draven laughed loudly and shook his head. Zarah frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.
“No, I’m not. Trust me. I’m scared all the time. You scare the living hell out of me.”
Her jaw dropped.
“I scare you?”
“Anyone who isn’t scared of you is insane.” — 6 people liked it

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