Demon Forged (The Guardians, #5)

Mar 26, 2011 Katie(babs) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-want-to-have-babies-with-the-book

Demon Forged is the eighth book in Meljean's Guardian series and will absolutely, positively blow your mind. Where as Demon Bound was a bit restrained, Demon Forged explodes with such rich dialogue, descriptions and remarkable characters we have all grown to love.

The two main characters here are Guardians Irena and Alejandro who I first met in Demon Night. They really didn’t make much of an impression on me at first. But after reading their story, they have become my second favorite couple behin...more Demon Forged is the eighth book in Meljean's Guardian series and will absolutely, positively blow your mind. Where as Demon Bound was a bit restrained, Demon Forged explodes with such rich dialogue, descriptions and remarkable characters we have all grown to love.

The two main characters here are Guardians Irena and Alejandro who I first met in Demon Night. They really didn’t make much of an impression on me at first. But after reading their story, they have become my second favorite couple behind Hugh and Lilith. Irena and Alejandro have a relationship much like the one Hugh and Lilith have. Alejandro loves Irena so much, but because of a very horrible event from their past, Irena keeps him at arms length. Alejandro will do whatever he can to have any type of relationship with Irena. She knows that she is his weakness and flaunts it to the point where he is at the breaking point. He thinks he knows why Irena can’t love him and be with him, but how so very wrong he is. When he finds out why, he is shocked to his core. I certainly was.

The other side of Demon Forged deals with the ongoing fight between the Guardians and those various creatures of pure evil. The prophecy that has been foretold since the beginning is about to come to a head and the Guardians, as well as their allies, need to take up arms because what is about to happen is quite the doozy.

Now this doozy, as I call it, is in regards to a certain character and his reaction to his future told by Khavi, who has the Gift of foresight. When Michael figures out some very important things in regards to the prophecy, his part in it, and the one he is meant to love and be with, will send a tidal wave of shock and awe like you wouldn’t believe. The way Meljan ends Demon Forged takes us in a direction no one would have expected. Meljean could have gone a different way with this book, an ending that would have been just as good, but perhaps not as profound. It’s a big chance she takes and it works in so many ways.

Everything in Demon Forged seems more intense. The action and suspense will have you clutching the pages. Your heart will race. There is a great deal of suffering and a few deaths you won’t see coming. (Meljean also made me care for Colin, that slick SOB vampire, as I call him. I am not a big fan of Colin, but that all changes because of one scene where he shows his deep love for Savi.)

There is also some freaky stuff Irena does with one of her statues she has created. This goes down as my favorite sex scene I have read in any book this year and it's very eye popping and so very naughty. If you were disappointed in the lack of sex scenes in Demon Bound, Meljean has delivered and more so. What Irena and Alejandro share starts out as a bit kinky and then transforms into something so very special. These scenes will not disappoint.

I can say hands down that Demon Forged is a well written near perfect read.(less)

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Feb 18, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-and-demons, kindle, paranormal-romance

In the past I had read the first four books in the Guardians series and then stopped - not lost interest so much as got distracted. Lately my personal and professional lives have been pretty demanding, so I picked up Demon Angel as a re-read. I remembered that I liked it, and vaguely remembered the plot, but my interest got totally captured! I found myself re-reading all the way through the four books I owned, and then continuing on to this book - book five.

And I found this to be one of the bett...more In the past I had read the first four books in the Guardians series and then stopped - not lost interest so much as got distracted. Lately my personal and professional lives have been pretty demanding, so I picked up Demon Angel as a re-read. I remembered that I liked it, and vaguely remembered the plot, but my interest got totally captured! I found myself re-reading all the way through the four books I owned, and then continuing on to this book - book five.

And I found this to be one of the better books in the series! For a few reasons:
1) It moved the overall plotline of the Guardian/Demon series forward quite a bit more than previous books
2) Michael. Michael. oh - did I mention, Michael is featured heavily in this book?
3) It seemed to be more self-aware than previous books in setting up future books. I wonder if this book was the first after Ms Brook received a contract for the rest of the series?

I've seen others that were not as into the focus away from the H/H (Irena and Alejandro) but I found it to be a nice balance. For the first time with this book, I was interested in the "other" (non-romance) action and other characters, just as much as the main characters. It felt like a much more integrated novel. Speaking of Irena and Alejandro, I found their story to be very sweet and hot - it had its tortured deceptions, its lengthy miscommunications, its moments of pride and rigidity - but this made their eventual acceptance of each other and commitment that much more moving. And I feel like pulling focus away from them allowed them to have that level of intensity without it being grating. Constant intensity = melodrama.

So I liked the interludes with Taylor, Khavi, Rael, Drifter, Alice, Jake, Lilith, Hugh (though I can probably never get enough of Lilith and Hugh, honestly!), Savi, Colin. Ms Brook has created quite a cast of characters for this world, and everyone stayed true to how they had been written in their own novels, and continued to feel pretty well-developed as characters. I am like a little kid whenever Michael comes around, have been since about book 2, so the thought of him changing significantly like he does in this book AND possibly having a love interest that is being teased for a future book, has me anxious! (view spoiler) I quickly went out and scanned the descriptions for the two remaining novels that have already been published in this series looking for Michael! (Alas, he is not there - but his book, promised as the final book in the series, is due out this summer!)

Back to Irena and Alejandro - not to discount this as a romance novel, but seriously there were only three sex scenes in this novel. I think it's a mark of how successful Brook is at ratcheting up tension that a book with three sex scenes (in a pretty impressive length, overall) is still a "romance" novel. There are considerably more fight scenes than sex scenes! But the ones that are there, count for a lot. Brook is awesome at making her characters earn their love, torturously and with much character development along the way. Irena in particular, because she was so inflexible and strong - and because she takes the lead so much in their relationship as in all things - had to grow and change a lot to be able to be with Alejandro. That was gratifying. (view spoiler)

The next book, about Rosalia and Deacon, is teased quite a bit in this one, which I think was a good move - as opposed to just tacking something on. So I am interested in reading it (and I will!). However, I'm just biding time until Michael's book comes out this summer. :)(less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Ana rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 31, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fifth in the Guardians paranormal romance series revolving around a group of supernatural beings, guardians to the world against rogue vampires and demons of any level.

My Take
Oh brother, talk about miscommunication! I was a good chunk of the way through this story before I got interested in it. I hated Irena's character. I seemed as though her only concept of communication was by hitting everyone and anyone. You know, a good knock‒out punch to the jaw. Gimme a break...she's had lots of time to g...more

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Oct 12, 2009 Jocelyn Zombie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, fantasy

This is one of those very rare books where I never totally warmed up to the main characters, but I loved the book anyway. Will re-read repeatedly, solid keeper shelf material. I'm only taking the one star off because of my lukewarm feelings for Irena and Alejandro.

This is the 8th installation in this series, the 5th full book, and it's where the series plot really starts to hit freeway speed. After the last book (my favorite of the series so far) I didn't think Brook would dole out the series pl...more This is one of those very rare books where I never totally warmed up to the main characters, but I loved the book anyway. Will re-read repeatedly, solid keeper shelf material. I'm only taking the one star off because of my lukewarm feelings for Irena and Alejandro.

This is the 8th installation in this series, the 5th full book, and it's where the series plot really starts to hit freeway speed. After the last book (my favorite of the series so far) I didn't think Brook would dole out the series plot information quite so quickly, quite so soon. I'm delighted that I was wrong, and I can see why I she didn't hold back - there's clearly going to be a lot of plot to move through. The developments with Taylor alone... oh man! Not to mention Michael. I loved the world development in this book, which is saying something, because keeping the world-building interesting over a multiple-book series is no small feat.

Nitpicking - The things I didn't like about this book are pretty small, and are probably not going to be problematic for most readers. I've said many times that I love crazy heroines, and I love strong heroines, and Irena is certainly strong, but she's not exactly crazy, she's just not self-aware. She's emotional and she doesn't really examine the details of how she's feeling or of her actions and reactions. She's never totally out of control, Alejandro at one point thinks that (paraphrase) "she's like a hammer and a sword at the same time" - she's blunt and honest and forthright like a hammer, but she understands maneuvering and politics and other people's motivations like sword. She just doesn't like them. And because her character is so forthright and earthy and forceful, she grows on a lot of readers, but she never grew on me. I'm not a big fan of those qualities, and I found her lacking in tact and self-awareness and empathy, all of which I value. Because I never really cared about her, I never really cared about Alejandro (whose personality I liked a lot) because most of what we see of him is through her POV. I respected both characters, but there was always a barrier there, which made it hard for me to lose myself in the story.

Despite that layer of removal, I really enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the next installation in the series.(less)

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May 09, 2011 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels, demons-magic-weres, vampires

I have to admit that I am a big fan of many pnr series but Guardians series by Meljean brook is by far my favourite. The series has so many great books that I can't decide which is my favourite among those!
Like the rest of the books, "Demon Forged" has a great story and characters. First, we have Irena.
Irena is a very difficult but strong woman. She had a tough life as a human, she was raped and enslaved and had also a tough life as a guardian.Then, we have Alejandro, a strong guardian and a pr...more

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Oct 06, 2009 Melindeeloo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, favorites

`Forged' By Passion And Consummated In Fire - Great Book in an Awesome Series

Demon Forged is absolutely the best of Meljean Brook's Guardian series to date. Character rich and well crafted, Demon Forged is equal parts romance and a story which builds on and adds some surprising developments to the overall arc of this excellent series -- I thoroughly loved this book and I am only barely resisting the urge to gush and rave.

Guardians Irena and Alejandro - whom Irena calls Olek- have a history, i...more `Forged' By Passion And Consummated In Fire - Great Book in an Awesome Series

Demon Forged is absolutely the best of Meljean Brook's Guardian series to date. Character rich and well crafted, Demon Forged is equal parts romance and a story which builds on and adds some surprising developments to the overall arc of this excellent series -- I thoroughly loved this book and I am only barely resisting the urge to gush and rave.

Guardians Irena and Alejandro - whom Irena calls Olek- have a history, in fact they have 400 years of history. Originally teacher and student, Irena and Alejandro had been stoking an attraction and headed toward an eventual consummation until a fluke and a bargain lead to hurt, shame and anger which causes them to separate for 200 years and which hangs between them for 200 years more. For the past 2 centuries Alejandro and Irena have been antagonistic `friends', dancing around the anger and need that still burns between them - both wanting more, both unsure of the other's feelings, and both too stubborn and proud to take a chance on breaching the distance and facing the truth of what happened to force them apart.

Demon Forged is probably the steamiest of the Guardian books. Somehow the sensuality level in Brook's books always seems to fit the leads - and both Alejandro and Irena are passionate and intense. And even though Brook makes us wait 400 years for the pair to finally come together, she builds the anticipation by giving us a glimpse from the past of the barely leashed attraction between Irena and Alejandro, so that we truly understand the depth of the need that both have suffered. So it is not surprising, that when the pair - who have spent hundreds of year verbal sparring as `foreplay' - finally connect, it is so hot that it is literally on fire.

Demon Forged is really hard to summarize, there is a lot going on here as Irena and Alejandro's story is woven tightly in with the Guardians' struggle to prevent pieces of the prophecy from falling into place, and that part the story was amazingly good too. I can't really talk about most of the things that I loved about the book without heading into spoiler territory, but with two more books to go Brook adds new characters, begins threads for future pairs, and continues the development of what now is a fairly large cast. Probably the most impressive was Brook's development of Irena who was not a sympathetic or particularly likeable character in [[ASIN:0425224538 Demon Bound (The Guardians, Book 7)]]. Irena is utterly fascinating here and she is so much more than what she first appears to be. At the start of Demon Forged, I couldn't have imagined Irene and Alejandro together - they seemed to be polar opposites, her brash directness to his subtle manipulations, her rough power to his grace and finesse - but as Brook delves into their histories and personalities and gives us a chance to watch how Irena and Alejandro interact with the rest of the Guardians, it is clear that they are just what the other needs. Brook also makes good use of the rest of her cast of Guardians, vampires, demons and Grigori. As one of the characters who clearly has an increasingly important part as the series moves forward, I found Khavi's expanded role in the book to be really interesting, as she appears, pull some threads to redirect the future, drops her often embarassing announcements of what she has (fore)'seen' and then vanishes. And, always a nice reward for fans of the series, many of the past and future leads have small but significant parts to play in the story - including sad, poignant and shocking parts.

Personally, I think that to appreciate Demon Forged readers should have at least read Demon Bound, but for readers new to the series - and for those of us fans who are a bit on the memory challenged side needing a refresher - Brook starts out Demon Forged with a dump of the history of the Guardians and if that is not enough, Brook also has collection of "if you are starting with this book..." summaries on her website which have only moderate spoilers for previous books, but have enough information to catch new readers up on the series arc. So if you want to start here and then go back and read the earlier books later - you're good to go. (less)

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Sep 20, 2010 Lin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, best-covers, romance, supernatural

I cried, so much, at the ending. The story was insane!! (in a brilliant way)

Pros:
*The ending!! Oh it's massive and brilliant and heartbreaking
*Major Michael love from this one. He was always great but this time I love him even more
*Major sob fest twice over (yup this is a pro)
*Dragons!
*Jake gave Alice a bomb and is now The Weapon
*As per usual brilliantly written with more awesome world building

Meh's:
*As much as I love Irena the crazy secondary character I didn't really warm to her as part of a r...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Rosario (http://rosario.blogspot.com/) rated it 5 of 5 stars

NOTE: If you haven't read the previous books in the series, it's probably best if you don't read this review. I'll try to avoid spoilers for previous books, but this far into the series, I'm pretty sure some will slip in. And anyway, if you want to read this series, you really should be starting at the beginning. I mean, there's certainly enough information in each book to allow them to be read as standalones (it's useful for us who've been reading the other ones, too; this is a fabulously compl...more NOTE: If you haven't read the previous books in the series, it's probably best if you don't read this review. I'll try to avoid spoilers for previous books, but this far into the series, I'm pretty sure some will slip in. And anyway, if you want to read this series, you really should be starting at the beginning. I mean, there's certainly enough information in each book to allow them to be read as standalones (it's useful for us who've been reading the other ones, too; this is a fabulously complex world, and my memory isn't perfect), but you'd get so much more out of them if you've read the previous entries.

---

Irena and Alejandro are among the oldest of the Guardians. Alejandro is old enough, having been one for four centuries, but next to Irena, he's a newbie. She was already an experienced Guardian when Alejandro became one, and he was actually assigned to her to be trained. There was as much heat and attraction as there was respect in that relationship, but before they could move from the very enjoyable and exciting foreplay to the action, a demon intervened and completely wrecked what was between them. Irena had to make a horrendous bargain to save Alejandro's life, and neither could get over the shame and guilt of the aftermath.

In the hundreds of years since, the two of them have done all they can to keep at a distance. But as we've seen in previous books, this is a pivotal time for the Guardians, what with the threat of the Nephilim rising and the small matter of a potentially disastrous prophecy to understand, not to mention increasing mistrust among the Guardians themselves, arising from the revelations about Michael's past. When Alejandro and Irena are required to work together, what had previously looked like an insurmountable chasm suddenly feels like it doesn't have to keep them apart.

Alejandro and Irena are two fantastic, very unique characters. Irena, especially, is amazing. I think she's a sort of character I'd never read before. She's fierce and wild, almost primitive in some ways, so much so that all the novices are a bit scared of her. From glimpses in earlier books, I thought I might find it hard to warm up to her, but I didn't. Brook is really good at getting you to completely understand her characters, and Irena was no exception. What was most brilliant about this careful characterisation was that I could completely get her and feel that what made her completely different to more modern characters (her "ancientness", for lack of another word) was still there.

Irena and Alejandro's romance must be one of my favourites in the whole series. What came between them was something that wasn't just awful, but designed to do as much damage as possible given the kind of persons they each were (exactly what you would expect from a demon, eh?). Getting over it is not just a matter of communicating and wanting to get over it; it takes true character growth and some hard decisions about what's most important, especially for Irena. It also takes a whole lot of trust and love and respect, and boy, do Irena and Alejandro have that! It made the romance incredibly satisfying.

To make things even more amazing in the relationship department, we finally, finally! get some clues about Michael and what's going to happen with him in this area. Big, gut-wrenching developments there, about which I'll say no more, other than you're going to want to read this. Like everyone, I've always been very intrigued by Michael, so it was really good to start to understand what he's like under the whole enigmatic Doyen role.

Ok, on to the plot. In Demon Forged the romance and the bigger storyline share pretty much equal billing. This is one series that really is going somewhere. It's not just a bunch of completely separate stories which happen to take place in the same universe, maybe with some recurring characters. Oh, no, while we do get plenty of closure in the main relationship developed in each book, there's something bigger that is going on, and it's something that progresses book by book.

I think, though, in previous books the plots have felt a bit more self-contained. I mean, they have always fit in with the larger picture and advanced it, but they still felt like single stories, with their own closure delivered in the book. In Demon Forged the link between the plot and the bigger story arc was clearer... in fact, there didn't seem to be much of a smaller plot at all. At one point, right before the denouement, I was actually feeling a bit anxious. The romance felt like we were almost there, and it wasn't clear where the plot was going. I was afraid the action was about to start to drag. And then... WOW!

I received an ARC quite a bit in advance, and was especially told by the author to be very careful not to let it out of my hands, because something huge happens. I hope Meljean doesn't get offended if I say I thought she was being a bit dramatic. Well, she wasn't. She really, really wasn't. That particular development was huge. In fact, even with the warning, I was surprised by just how huge it was. It was brilliant, too, and takes things in a direction I didn't expect at all. My god, that epilogue! I really and truly can't wait now to find out what's going to happen. And that, my friends, is all I'm going to say about that.

MY GRADE: An A. This keeps getting better and better.(less)

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Brie C. I re-read this book last year (and by this book I mean only the sex scenes, but in my defense, I was writing a post about sex; I'm no a perv *shifty e...more
Jan 09, 2013 09:17am

Rosario (http://rosario.blogspot.com/) I know what you mean. I thought I'd properly appreciated how subtle and complex all the relationships in the series are the first time around, but rer...more
Jan 09, 2013 11:00pm

Nov 24, 2009 Darcy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009

It was interesting at the beginning quarter of this book to watch Irena and Alejandro seemingly circle around each other whenever they were near, they had such a long and conflict ridden history. They were both super aware of each other but just couldn't face the things that happened in the past, being forced to work together on the lastest threat against the guardians.

Irena was a fun character to read as she is such a strong badass, that even the novice guardians are somewhat scared and in awe...more

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Oct 30, 2009 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Any book that I can't put down even when I'm starving for dinner and desperate to pee, gets five stars.

If you know Meljean Brook's work already: everything you've heard about the ending of this book is TRUE. By which I mean it is awesome.

If you don't know Meljean Brook's work, here is why I like her:

1. She knows from strong heroines. I know that phrase, "strong heroines," gets tossed around a lot in certain genres (paranormal romance especially), often as code for "has a superpower" or "there wa...more

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May 29, 2012 Lindsay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural-crack

I really enjoyed how Brook expands her universe in this book - particularly the Guardians' Gifts. I love how Irena's gift of being able to manipulate metal and Alejandro's Gift of manipulating heat were unusual and reflected who they were as characters. I also really enjoyed (and this is not unique to this book) how damaged the characters are. When they change, they don't become "all better". There's an element of acceptance, which I love, and the change is a hopeful, good change, yet doesn't be...more

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Mar 16, 2010 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars

The only reason this book didn't get the usual 5 stars I will give any of Meljean Brook's Guardian series books, is because it took me longer than usual to get into it. At first I couldn't 'get' either of the main characters, Irena or Olek, and their story left me cold.
Luckily, knowing how I normally love these books, I persevered and am so glad I did. For others who dont get enthralled by the first 100 or so pages, keep going. This book eventually brings us a story and action that is enthralli...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Laurie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Simply amazing! I was not crazy about Demon Angel, but I won this new book in a giveaway and gave it a try. It's a better book on every level: the complexity is still there, but it's much easier to follow and thus easier to feel invested in the characters. (I will admit that this may be because I've read one book now, as opposed to coming to the series "fresh".)

The heroine, Irena, does take a while to warm up to -- and many seem to agree with this -- but I love her straightforwardness. She hate...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: characters-with-superpowers, aaangst, fantasy, hurt-comfort, paranormal, reunited-lovers, romance, tough-heroines

Demon Forged follows Irena and Alejandro, two fairly old guardians who have major unresolved issues. This was such an odd duck. I really liked this book but for everything except the OTP, who I found boring and whose scenes I skipped. I love the world-building and the plot (if Brook ever wanted, she could write kick-ass fantasy series), and glimpses of Hugh/Lilith and Colin/Savitri (the awesome OTPs of the first and second books), and everything about Michael, who is the leader of the Guardians...more

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Jul 25, 2010 Jackie Uhrmacher rated it 4 of 5 stars

The emotional impact of Demon Forged by Meljean Brook hits you right between the eyes. Irena and Alejandro’s quest to be together is just the tip of the iceberg. The four centuries they were apart paved a winding road of pain and loss that only the strongest could survive, but that is nothing compared to what Anaria has in store for them. The mother of the nephilim wants control of Hell and is willing to destroy anyone who gets in her way, including Michael, her brother and leader of the Guardia...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, guardian-series

Another emotionally satisfying book from Meljean! And this one was a game-changer! For those that read the Guardian series - this is a must read. For those that have not started the series... you must!

Notes for my full write up (to be completed at a later time)
* shades of Ash, the lonely leader, the tough decisions
* two individuals that knew where they went wrong, but unable and unwilling to change for 400 years, afraid of what they might do to the other.
* admitting/growing, changing, but stayin...more

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Oct 02, 2010 Sarah A. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great book.
It focused on more than just Irena and Alejandro, in fact it was more about everyone else than the two of them. Now this is not necessarily a good thing, because honestly sometimes I actually missed the main characters. But it was cleverly written nonetheless and it will definitely surprise you.
I can't imagine what will happen next and that is alaways a good sign in a series.

I read part of this book at work because I hate anticipation and I don't want to wait to go home and continue r...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: hero-is-an-angel, genre-paranormal-romance, heroine-is-tortured

I was really excited for this one, but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations. However, it did make me really flipping excited to read Michael's story. I can't wait for that book to come out sometime this fall. *crosses fingers that the release date doesn't get pushed back*

Guardians Irena and Alejandro have been at each others' throat ever since a bargain with a demon destroyed their relationship hundreds of years ago. Now circumstances are pushing them to work together and the guilt each ca...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, favourites, wishlist-paperback-hardback, paranormal-vampires, paranormal-nephilim, paranormal-angels-demons-gods, _adult, review-on-old-blog

Read review here on BookExhibitionism.de

Dear Patricia,

with all due respect, sometimes I am not sure why you like certain books and hate others, coming to the conclusion that you are insane. You are convinced that this book is made of awesome, but not because of the main couple, two folks you don't really care about, but because of the many Michael glimpses you got here.

Meljean's Guardians-series is about a group of people who once sacrificed themselves for others, would have died and were then a...more

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Apr 22, 2011 Starfire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, supernatural-chick-pr0n, 9-10

I really don't know what to say about this book, other than wax lyrical about how much I enjoyed it.

As with previous Guardian novel, I found myself getting at least a third of the way through the book before I had ANY idea where the plot was going - the thing is that I enjoy Meljean Brook's characters and dialogue so much - I enjoy *spending time with them* so much - that I didn't really miss it.

And then when it finally DID kick in... whoah. The stakes were raised, and *stuff* was suddenly happe...more

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Jun 10, 2010 Jill Dunlop rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Demon Forged is the fifth book in Meljean Brook's Guardian Series (that's if you don't count the anthologies). Irena and Alejandro are Guardians who have been protecting mankind from Demons. They have a past history together and can't seem to make their friendship/relationship work. Many centuries have passed and they still harbor feelings for one another but neither Irena nor Alejandro can seem to get past their pride to make things work. Now, Irena and Alejandro are being forced to work togeth...more Demon Forged is the fifth book in Meljean Brook's Guardian Series (that's if you don't count the anthologies). Irena and Alejandro are Guardians who have been protecting mankind from Demons. They have a past history together and can't seem to make their friendship/relationship work. Many centuries have passed and they still harbor feelings for one another but neither Irena nor Alejandro can seem to get past their pride to make things work. Now, Irena and Alejandro are being forced to work together to stop a deadly prophecy from becoming true.

I think that so far Demon Forged is the most well written book of this series. However, it was not my favorite and I'll tell you why. But, first let's talk about what I really enjoyed. First of all, the world building is just phenomenal. Brooks really blows me away with her attention to detail and the well planned out plotting. Where she is going with this series, I am not sure. It's perfectly clear that she knows and that is what's important. Things are really starting to heat up between the Guardians and the Demons. Both sides are taking hits and things are super tense. At certain moments, I found myself on the edge of my seat.

Also, I was very intrigued by some of the secondary plots. I was especially enamored with the goings on between Michael and Taylor. I can't wait to see where that ends up! This brings me to the main romance between Irena and Alejandro, I wasn't super crazy about these two. I hate that they went some 500 years unable to work through their problems because of pride. It just makes me question why it took them so long to let go of their issues and actually try and work things out. I will say 500 years of sexual tension sure does lead to some pretty steamy "make-up" sex. It was also obvious to me that these two were meant to be together. I just wanted to be like, "Get over it already!" But actually, this was pretty minor offence even though it doesn't sound like it. I did really enjoy reading this book and I can't wait to read more of this series.(less)

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Oct 09, 2009 VampFanGirl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books-of-2009, arc, paranormal-romance, favorites

Four centuries ago Irena's shame and Alejandro's pride destroyed a love that could have withstood an eternity. Now Irena's heart is as hard as steel and it only melts beneath Alejandro's dark and smoldering stares whenever they're forced to be in each other's presence.

Irena's sixteen centuries as a Guardian have sharpened her into a quick and blunt instrument delivering pointed comments with developed wisdom and at times, with unveiled anger. She is also often misinterpreted. Recently betrayed b...more Four centuries ago Irena's shame and Alejandro's pride destroyed a love that could have withstood an eternity. Now Irena's heart is as hard as steel and it only melts beneath Alejandro's dark and smoldering stares whenever they're forced to be in each other's presence.

Irena's sixteen centuries as a Guardian have sharpened her into a quick and blunt instrument delivering pointed comments with developed wisdom and at times, with unveiled anger. She is also often misinterpreted. Recently betrayed by Michael, leader of the Guardians, her mentor and the one she looked up to above all others, Irena's disappointment is known throughout the Corps but she'll not allow it to prevent her from protecting those who need it. She's a warrior, a hunter, quick to react and quick to judge every situation. Her hatred for demons is soul deep and the fact that the Guardians, in her mind, have become subservient to them only deepens her disappoint with Michael. As far as Irena's concerned, she's a being who lives for the hunt and the kill and her skills are not useful to the scheming minds of her fellow Guardians and their alignment with the hellspawn Lilith and the Demon Rael. Given the chance she'd slay them both.

Alejandro has loved Irena from the moment he laid eyes on her in Caelum four hundred years ago. He knew that it was she who made the beautiful weapons that the Guardians used with her Gift of manipulating metal. Her demon kills were and still are legendary and one would be wise to be worshipful and intimidated by her but instead Alejandro challenged her the moment their eyes locked. She kissed him that day after bringing him to the ground with merely a knife. Instead of humiliation he felt lust and determination to satisfy her wild soul.

No woman could be more Alejandro's opposite. He's well read while she could care less for words. He doesn't cultivate hated for demons while she burns with it. Irena was and still is warrior to the soul. A woman who detests politicians while Alejandro, a politician in his human life, has also played that role as a Guardian. And if called to do it again, he will even knowing that it will take him further and further from Irena's heart. It's only Alejandro's Gift of fire that meshes with Irena but it's also enough to fuel a combustible passion.

The world that the Guardians find themselves in DEMON FORGED is darker and more desperate then ever. Their numbers are devastatingly low while their threats have multiplied and converged into a power greater than they've ever faced. Emotions are taught while they all await the moment that their skills are tested and their lives may be forfeit. It's in this time that Irena's strength and natural ability to lead are needed. When the Demon Rael, a.k.a. Senator Stafford and political backer of the Guardians and their Homeland Security division of Special Investigations, is struck by the bullet that kills his wife during a political rally, the Guardians suspect foul play on the demon's part and launch an investigation. Because of the Rules, Rael could never directly kill his human wife but he could bargain with another being not bound by the Rules to commit the murder. If Rael is responsible, the Guardians will slay him and Alejandro will assume his position as Senator Stafford. Both Alejandro and Irena are assigned to the investigation.

For four hundred years, Irena has allowed Alejandro to think the worst of the catalyst that had ultimately drove them apart. Her shame forced distance between them but perhaps it's the recent doom that has settled over her and her fellow Guardians or perhaps she's just tired of fighting her desire for Alejandro but she feels that now is the time to tell him the truth. He's punished himself long enough. At the same time, Alejandro makes the decision to fight for Irena. He let her walk away four centuries ago and every day since then. Enough is enough. And when Alejandro and Irena finally come together, they collide like two fierce predators, each fighting for dominance, each stripped to their hot cores. They're rough with their strength, explosive with their emotions and blistering with their heat.

When the Guardian's worst fear becomes a reality, Alejandro and Irena are willing, determined even, to sacrifice their lives to destroy the evil intent on enslaving humanity despite the fact that they've have renewed their love and cemented their bond.

DEMON FORGED is by far the darkest novel in the Guardian Series and it's not just because of the events that occur but also because of Alejandro and Irena, their past, the dilemmas they face and the fact that they're more serious and seasoned Guardians. Alejandro is dark and sultry and embodies the deadly precision of a very skilled swordsman. Irena is solid in her stance, brutally direct with a temper that's like a constant lit fuse just waiting to burst into flames.

With Irena, you always know where you stand. She's not one to play games, she's lived too long. She's also a bit barbaric, a hunter of large game that eats the hearts of her kills. She's raw and simply fascinating. Although, having lived sixteen centuries, she's a bit set in her ways and a times, quick to judge without looking at all angles. But like the steel she works with, she will bend but not for just anyone. Her anger with Michael is justified and I felt deeply for her reasons. But even though she disagrees with her leader, she never abandons their cause.

Alejandro is achingly intense and a man who prides himself on his control. This is a common trait in Brook's heroes but to witness them when their rigid control snaps is like ambrosia for the hussy soul for it usually shatters during sex. But while each of Brook's heroes share this trait, they all break their control for different reasons. What was interesting about Alejandro was that although he was prideful, he wasn't necessarily arrogant. He's a silent man who rarely speaks unless the situation calls for it. He's dangerous and mysterious - a predator. Alejandro broke my heart on two specific occasions, both of which were incredibly heroic and are burned deeply within my reader heart. He and Irena were more than worthy for one another.

Obviously there is a lot more to DEMON FORGED than Alejandro and Irena, much of which are best experienced on ones own. I will mention though one new aspect to Brook's Guardian novels and that is the time she spends in POV's other than the lead hero and heroine. There are two other romances cultivating in DEMON FORGED in addition to Alejandro and Irena but all three snagged my undivided attention. Brook never fails to astound me. The world is evolving. Several plot arch's are converging and the novels are taking on a more Urban Fantasy feel but the romance is still very much center stage and the sex is still very integral to the growth of her characters. What Brook ends up delivering is my perfect romance novel.

DEMON FORGED took me on a journey through a miasma of emotions. I cried tears of indescribable awe. I laughed and cheered. I held the pages with white knuckled fingers and bated breath. I flung myself back into the couch with shock. I smiled and frowned. To encapsulate it all into one sentence: I loved.(less)

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Nov 29, 2010 Alina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-uf-fantasy

AAAAAHHHHHH!!! The cliffhanger! Meljean Brook you're evil for making this the most cataclysmic book in the series, and also for ending it on such a note, and NOT making the next book a Michael book!!!

The romance here was a bit of a disappointment, but with everything else that was going on in the Guardian world, I almost didn't notice. Great installment, and a pivotal book in the series. Can't wait for what the next one reveals.

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Oct 28, 2009 Sayuri_x rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, best-of-2009, paranormal

This book literally blew my freaking mind. I can't talk about it without spoiling it utterly but I cannpt wait for the next installment. the last four chapters of this book were perfection. They wrapped up the romance part of it and then knocked the whole world on it's ass in a major way that I loved. Fucking full of AWESOME Sauce. I know I sound like a teenager but man, it left me practically incoherhent with it's fabulousness!

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Apr 12, 2011 Nita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: demons-angels, ebook, fiction, own, para-romance, vampires, warriors-guardians, gods-immortals, read-2011

I think this quote from the book expresses Alejandro (Olek) and Irena's relationship very well:

"Days will come when I will hate you Olek. But there will never come a second that I do not love you."

Irena is one tough cookie, and Alejandro absolutely loves her for that reason. An event that happened in their past has kept them willingly separated for a couple centuries. The story involves Irena working past her embarrassment and, as she comes to realize, a feeling of rejection and Alejandro his pr...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Wendy Mitchell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: must-read-series, multiple-rereads, favorites

This series is riveting and I am never disappointed. The characters are often tortured and not necessarily somebody you would bring home to meet the family, but they always have some redeeming fragment left that hasn't been tortured out of them. Well worth the time invested.

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Aug 31, 2009 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2009, august-2009

Another winner from Meljean Brook. It dragged a little in the middle, but the end took me totally by surprise. The characters were everything I expected of them, though I'll be curious to see where some newly introduced ones are headed.

Overall? It was amazing.

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Jun 01, 2010 Maya rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a bit slow to get going and my total star count would have been 3.5, but because I really liked the hero and because the terrific action in the final battle scene (plus some great, harrowing cliffhanger emotional stuff at the end) I bumped up to 4.

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Feb 29, 2012 Carisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: g-paranorm, hero-type-warrior, t-action-fights, t-second-chance

This was a very dense reading, mainly because it was the first book I read in this series -crazy, I know. But as I understood the complex worldbuilding, I was drawn to it and to to the H/h love story as well, which made up about a third of the book. The writing style is cold, but very well done.
HERO is a guardian, a type of Warrior who defends humans and vampires from demons. He fell in love with his mentor many centuries ago, and whe she got attacked by a demon and he couldn't protect her, thei...more

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Demon Forged (The Guardians #5)

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