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Demon Blood (The Guardians #6)

by Meljean Brook (Goodreads Author)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 473 ratings · 57 reviews

Long before she was transformed into a Guardian and trained to fight demons, Rosalia knew darkness all too well. Raised by a demon, Rosalia learned to guard her heart -- and her soul -- until she found a man worthy of her love. Once, she thought that man would be the powerful vampire, Deacon…until he betrayed the Guardians.

After losing everything to the lies of a demon, De...more

Paperback, 414 pages

Published July 6th 2010 by Berkley

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Dec 29, 2012 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst, contemporary, demons, fantasy-paranormal-sci-fi, read-2010, romance, series, vampire, excellent, angels-guardians

*Originally Read 7/5/10 - 7/6/10*

Rosalia and Deacon play the lead in this book. If you've read the last book in the series, Demon Forged, you'll know the connection that Rosalia and Deacon have. If you haven't read Demon Forged I would not recommend you read this book. Too many things happened in the last book for you to skip it. The Guardians were fundamentally changed, and the back story for Deacon is played out in it.

I liked Rosalia and Deacon, but I think they had a hard time living up to my...more *Originally Read 7/5/10 - 7/6/10*

Rosalia and Deacon play the lead in this book. If you've read the last book in the series, Demon Forged, you'll know the connection that Rosalia and Deacon have. If you haven't read Demon Forged I would not recommend you read this book. Too many things happened in the last book for you to skip it. The Guardians were fundamentally changed, and the back story for Deacon is played out in it.

I liked Rosalia and Deacon, but I think they had a hard time living up to my love of the characters in the last book. They're both great characters, but they're more subdued then the tempestuous relationship between Irena and Alejandro. This book is great, but it also has the feel of a set up book.

One of the best things about the characters this author creates is that they have real vulnerabilities and insecurities. They don't come off as flat characters, they feel real. Deacon is consumed by self loathing over his apparent failure to save his people. He made a deal with a demon and got burned for it. He wanted to die, but he pulled himself up and tried to find a purpose for himself. He cannot see the good in himself anymore. Because of the way he views himself he cannot believe that anyone would think he was worth anything. That's a major stumbling block in the path to relationship bliss for him and Rosalia.

Rosalia has a past consumed by what she considers her many failures. When she loves, she puts the wants and needs of that person ahead of her own. She'll take pain and heartache and never show it, she'll just move past it. Even with her horrible past she is still an optimist. She is optimistic that one day she'll be able to break that character flaw. :) Rosalia is not like many of the Guardians we have seen in the past. She does not have the history or connection with the other Guardians that most of them have. She has spent most of her time as a Guardian keeping her brother in line and watching over her vampires. She's always got a plan, and a back up plan.

In this book her plan is something so bold and daring that it will either be a huge victory for the Guardians or will be responsible for a lot of deaths. I liked the risks that Rosalia took with her role as a Guardian. She had to confront some hard truths about where the line really is between demons and Guardians. Is it just good intentions? Rosalia goes beyond the line most Guardians are willing to cross, all for the sake of the greater good.

I'm so glad that we got to see a lot of Taylor in this book. After what happened to her in the last book, I was dying to see what was happening with her. This book shows a rough time for Taylor. She's struggling with her new role of Guardian, and trying to keep control of her mind and body. What Michael did had a harsh consequence for Taylor. She's in a dominance struggle for her own body. I think that when Taylor and Michael get their book, they're going to have a lot of issues to work out before they get their HEA. Hell has stripped a lot of layers of Michael's humanity from him. He is down to instinctual emotion and reactions. Before the end, we find out why he's been struggling with Taylor, and we finally learn why Michael never wears shoes.

I can't wait for the next book. This world gets more and more interesting with every book. I can't wait until 2012, when we get Michael's book, but I dread saying goodbye to this series.(less)

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Oct 04, 2011 Melindeeloo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Guardian Rosalia and Vampire Deacon take center stage in Demon’s Blood, MelJean Brook’s sixth entry in her excellent Guardians series, as the battle between good and evil is threatening the destruction of the vampire communities of the world and the Guardians, their numbers dwindling, seek to protect the humans from a powerful insane immortal player who may very well wipe out Humanity in her efforts to save humans from themselves.

Deacon and Rosalia both had significant roles in the last book,...more Guardian Rosalia and Vampire Deacon take center stage in Demon’s Blood, MelJean Brook’s sixth entry in her excellent Guardians series, as the battle between good and evil is threatening the destruction of the vampire communities of the world and the Guardians, their numbers dwindling, seek to protect the humans from a powerful insane immortal player who may very well wipe out Humanity in her efforts to save humans from themselves.

Deacon and Rosalia both had significant roles in the last book, Demon Forged, (which can’t be summarized without revealing spoilers) but the pair actually have even more of a history than Deacon realizes. An encounter which occurred during Deacon’s human lifetime, significant to Rosalia but one which Deacon can’t even recall, has caused Rosalia to watch over Deacon ever since and – unknown to Deacon – Rosalia has occasionally stepped in to protect Deacon or to set him on a happier path. Rosalia’s admired how Deacon has come through setbacks in the past, even ones which wounded his spirit, and has still remained a good man. Now it remains to be seen if Deacon can survive the betrayal and loss which are now at the core of his being when his plan for dealing with his pain is a suicidal mission of revenge fueled by his self-destructive anger.

Both of the leads have suffered a great deal of loss and both losses are tinged by guilt. Rosalia has lost just as much as Deacon and though she’s protective of everyone she’s cared for she’s had no one to take care of her. But where Deacon is a fighter striking out with his anger much as he did with his fists when a loss of faith turned him from ship’s Deacon to boxer during his human days, Rosalia holds on to her faith. But now instead of praying and hoping for the best, Rosalia is acting on that faith. The result of Rosalia’s move to protect humans from both Belial’s demons and Anaria and the nephilim is really incredible and this background plot, which is doled out slowly over the course of the book, makes Demon’s Blood so much more than a paranormal romance. Rosalia’s intelligence and understanding of the natures of her friends and enemies and the way that she manages to put all of the pieces into play for the big conflict is really wonderful.

From a romance standpoint Demon’s Blood is one of the more difficult relationships of Brook’s Guardian parings. There is a great deal of emotional intensity to Rosalia and Deacon’s interactions but rarely in Demon’s Blood do we have the opportunity to bask in the afterglow since moments of intimacy or passion between Rosalia and Deacon are often followed by anger, hurt and rejection - Deacon has just too much baggage for sweet and romantic. The language is also coarser than in previous books, this is a reflection of Deacon’s personality, he’s dangerous and although Deacon is intelligent, he’s rough, quick to act and lives in the moment.

On my first read through I wasn’t sure if Deacon was really worth it, Rosalia puts up with way too many rejections and harsh words from Deacon in order to steal a few moments of happiness for herself but on thinking on it a bit more I realized that Rosalia and Deacon really both share that sense of unworthiness, neither really believe that they deserve to be loved, fortunately Rosalia clues in on this midway through the story and doesn’t put up with less than she deserves – and on the second read, I decided that Deacon was what she deserved.

So the bottom line is that more fascinating and well developed characters, a really smart and satisfying plot, and only one small nit for series old timers - two straight info dumps to layout the Guardian world and its mythos - make Demon’s Blood another winner from Brook. And Good news for us fans, Brook has the go ahead to finish up the series with “DEMON MARKED in August 2011, a novella in the Angels of Darkness anthology in October 2011, and Michael’s book in 2012”.

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Feb 22, 2013 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

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

After the thrilling plot of Demon Forged, this book left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Probably because I read them so close together. One hallmark of a good PNR series, to me, is the balance between the inevitable two plot lines: 1) the plot of the immediate novel, and 2) the plot of the overall series. The author has to find the balance between the two and keep the reader engaged in both. Anything less, to me, is just not satisfying! I have a relentlessly big picture brain. :)

That being sa...more After the thrilling plot of Demon Forged, this book left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Probably because I read them so close together. One hallmark of a good PNR series, to me, is the balance between the inevitable two plot lines: 1) the plot of the immediate novel, and 2) the plot of the overall series. The author has to find the balance between the two and keep the reader engaged in both. Anything less, to me, is just not satisfying! I have a relentlessly big picture brain. :)

That being said, let me rush to assure you: Meljean Brook is one of the best at this! Although in the first 3 books of the Guardians series I sometimes didn't feel the movement along an overarching plot arc, by the fourth book it started to come together and move towards a larger conclusion. (I have a theory that somewhere in there Ms. Brook signed a contract for the rest of the series) This book did continue to build on events in the larger plotline, although the characters, Rosalia and Deacon, don't interact all that often with the other Guardians and vampires we know from past books. So maybe the reason I loved this book a little less than Demon Forged was the individual novel's plot.

In this book, Rosalia the Guardian has a plan which might help the Guardians in the fight against Anaria and the nephilim. It's a risky plan and she's conflicted about it, but she thinks with Deacon's help she can do it. The only problem is, Deacon is hellbent on revenge against demons because of the events in Demon Forged, and he wants nothing to do with Rosalia or her plan. We were introduced to these characters in the last book but here we get much more of their backstory. Rosalia has an interesting story for a Guardian, because she really isolates herself from other Guardians and lives instead with vampires on Earth in an abbey in Rome. She was a nun in life and her "family" now call her "Mother". Both of these characters have a lot of baggage from their lives and afterlives that they are bringing into this partnership. And so we spend a lot of time watching them work through their issues so they can 1) kill the nephilim, and 2) be together.

I mentioned in my review of Demon Forged that the book had a scorching love story but we really didn't spend much actual page time on it. It underscored the action and there were some intense, hot, achingly sweet scenes, but they felt well-earned amidst the direct conflicts in the novel, both between and around the two protagonists. I think that is what was lacking in this book for me. The love story and partnership between Rosalia and Deacon is the main plot of the book, and by far we spend the most time reading about it, listening into their heads as they agonize over it, fight against it, and bemoan whatever state it's in at that moment. It just got a little tiresome for me.

I will say that even though I personally prefer more direct characters, like Irena, over characters like Rosalia who have a hard time knowing what they even want, Ms. Brook always delivers realistic characters who grow and change over the course of the novel. In this case, Rosalia definitely evolves and comes into her own, in large part because of Deacon. It is a sweet love story, it just wasn't my personal favorite.

I did enjoy reading about Detective Taylor (view spoiler), as she is as close as this book came to Michael, who remains my absolute favorite. The main character of book 7, Nicholas St. Croix, was introduced in this book and we learned a little of his backstory. I think I will wait a while to read that book since it's another six months until the final book - Michael's book!!! - is due out.(less)

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Aug 10, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance

Sixth in the Guardians paranormal romance series that revolves around a group of semi-angels and vampires who protect mankind. The couple focus here is on Rosalia and Deacon and is based in Rome.

My Take
A good story with some well-deserved triumphs. YES! We get quite a bit of back history on Rosalia and the hated Lorenzo as well as Deacon. There's Rosalia's crazy plan to make the world safer for Guardians, humans, and vampires. Then there's the so-very sad "courtship" between Deacon and Rosalia w...more

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Aug 04, 2010 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rosalia, a Guardian, was raised by a demon and has known great heartache and great evil, but she continues to fight the good fight. Rosalia has a plan, which if successful, will result in the demise of many demons and all of the nephilim, who are responsible for the deaths of many vampires. However, the main person in Rosalia's plan is Deacon, a vampire, who betrayed the Guardians, in an attempt to save his people. Convincing Deacon to go along with her plans and keeping her heart safe seem like...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: meljean-brook, guardian-series, paranormal-romance

I’m going to state up front that I LOVE the Guardian series. The mythology is interesting and unique, the story lines are exciting, the romance is sizzling, and Meljean does such an amazing job with character development that I am sad to say good-bye when I finish reading each story. Demon Blood is no exception to this.

Picking up where Demon Forged ended, we find Guardian Rosalia recovered from her “abduction” and back in her own territory fighting demons. She runs into vampire (and traitor) Dea...more I’m going to state up front that I LOVE the Guardian series. The mythology is interesting and unique, the story lines are exciting, the romance is sizzling, and Meljean does such an amazing job with character development that I am sad to say good-bye when I finish reading each story. Demon Blood is no exception to this.

Picking up where Demon Forged ended, we find Guardian Rosalia recovered from her “abduction” and back in her own territory fighting demons. She runs into vampire (and traitor) Deacon once night, 6 months after she saved his life. She begins to formulate a detailed plan that will get rid of several mutual enemies and begins to convince Deacon he needs to join her.

Immediately I was drawn to this couple. They each have a longing and ache to be with one another, but their individual and mutual pasts block the way. Their story is heartbreaking and I was routing for them to get together right away. And when I finally thought it was going to happen, my heart was ripped out. [MILD SPOILER:] In an intense scene that emotionally crushes both characters, Deacon assumes that Rosalia will allow him to sexually use her just to get him to help her with her plans. Oh, the drama! I was in tears for both characters.

But as much as I was cheering for Rosie and Deacon, I became a bit annoyed with their constant “misunderstandings” and his assumption that she would only use him, never love him. When Rosalia hints about her mutual past with Deacon, he immediately assumes she means some other man, even though the story matches his own life. I was relieved when FINALLY Rosalia walked away and said “no more.” (Relieved because it was action, but it broke my heart.) In the end, they do get their HEA (happily ever after), but it was a long road to travel. Even the ending that brings them together included yet another misunderstanding and more assumptions. That did taint their story a bit for me. However, their romance was smokin’, and Meljean continues to write some of the hottest smex scenes around.

I enjoyed the side stories as well - mostly seeing a Guardian as a parent. The story dealt with some bigger “life” issues that have not been discussed from a Guardian point-of-view before. The scenes between future daughter-in-law, Gemma, son, Vin, and Rosalia were excellent. I also enjoyed the progression of the overall story line with the nephil and demons. I missed seeing most of my favorite characters (including the lovely Savi and Colin), but I loved the focus on new Guardian, Taylor. I cannot wait to see where Meljean takes the story next.

My Rating: #4 stars.(less)

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Jul 01, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 5 of 5 stars

Demon Blood by Meljean Brook
Paranormal Romance -July 6th, 2010
4 1/2 stars

Demon Blood is a romance filled with exhilarating imagination and sweeping fantasy. The complex story and deep characterization make this book very in depth. I would not generally recommend this book for first time readers of this author. Although not impossible, I would highly recommend reading at least one of her prior books since it will give readers a fuller and richer appreciation for this multi faceted series.

In Demon...more Demon Blood by Meljean Brook
Paranormal Romance -July 6th, 2010
4 1/2 stars

Demon Blood is a romance filled with exhilarating imagination and sweeping fantasy. The complex story and deep characterization make this book very in depth. I would not generally recommend this book for first time readers of this author. Although not impossible, I would highly recommend reading at least one of her prior books since it will give readers a fuller and richer appreciation for this multi faceted series.

In Demon Blood we are treated to the story of Rosalina, a Guardian who fights demons and protects humans and the innocent. Her life has been filled with pain and loneliness. She fights even when she knows her cause may be hopeless. But now she needs help. For the last Guardian battle has decimated their ranks and if their enemy the demons knew that there were so few of them…there would be a catastrophe. Rosalina knows that demons are planning to take over the vampires and built their power base for an ultimate take over. She refuses to let this happen but as a Guardian she is bound by Rules to do no harm. And if she doesn't follow them she will no longer be a Guardian to protect those she cares for. So she deviously asks for aid from a vampire who does not have such limitations or boundaries...

The powerful vampire known as Deacon seeks his own brand of vengeance against the demons who murdered the vampire under his rule. Clouded by pain and anger Deacon doesn't care who gets in his way. Although he finds Rosalina attractive her pleas to persuade him to try to help her at first fall upon deaf ears. He wants nothing to do with Rosalina even if he secretly dreams of her. But what Deacon doesn't know is that Rosalina knows far more about Deacon than he imagines and she realizes only Deacon is strong enough for her plans to succeed. But how can she persuade a man who only wants revenge?

The most powerful thing about this book is the deep pain and suffering the main characters carried, particularly Rosalina who never feels she is good enough. (Even though she has saved hundreds if not thousands of lives.) This lack of self worth and feeling of being undeserving make Rosalina a lonely and sympathetic character that is easy to identify with. Her empathy and understanding as she sacrifices her own happiness so others can have a better life is tragic as it made this reader want her happiness all the more. Rosalina was truly a noble and heroic character. I love learning more about her and how she became a Guardian. I also enjoyed how the book showed how much Rosalina loved Deacon all these centuries and tried to help him but feels unable to tell him her true feelings. Especially since she fears he might feel betrayed and manipulated by her hidden guidance. This secret love and later Deacon’s love for her which he thinks is unreturned make for a book filled with fierce angst and absorbing emotional tension. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart and not a quick read.

Gripping, heart wrenching and richly textured Demon Blood is an emotional story bursting with epic fantasy.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, characters-with-superpowers, crushing-on-secondaries, fantasy, hurt-comfort, paranormal, romance, tough-heroines, vampires

Ahhhh, I really did like the OTP of this one. Rosalia is a very smart, meticulous Guardian who plans to protect the vampire communities of Europe and to wipe a bunch of demons at once. And then there is Deacon, once the leader of the Prague vampire community, now a man with nothing to live for but revenge against demons.

This has a good OTP and a good plot, but I confess my favorite thing was still the whole fucked up fucked-uppedness that is Michael-Taylor 'relationship' - the whole 'he has vol...more

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Jul 14, 2010 Hilcia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-bookshelf, impressions-blog-review, paranormal, romance

My first impression of Demon Blood was that the story was all about the love. Rosalia and Deacon's love for their communities, love for the human race, love for vampire communities, mother love, and love for each other -- and of course sacrifice. Both characters, but particularly Rosalia, are willing to sacrifice a lot for those they love. But don't get me wrong, it's not all about love and sacrifice, this story is also quite sexy! Meljean Brook knows how to create sexual tension and chemistry b...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Lisa - (Aussie Girl) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-urban-fantasy

This is the sixth book in the Guardians series and probably my favourite. This is a very complex world and mythology and though a great series usually needs quite concentrated reading. After a recap in the first chapters reminding us of the Guardians world this book flows really well and the featured couple, Deacon and Rosalia are great. Unusual for this series, there is not a lot of presence of previous couples and this actually worked in this story's favour, the storyline is quite contained an...more

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Jul 01, 2010 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, review-for-smexybooks

4.5 stars
Favorite Quote:
"I've forced a good man onto a path with me. I cannot win without his help. But he has not offered it. I am using him."
"So you are no better then the demons."
"I'd like to think I have better intentions..."
"I imagine you do like to think that. But if the suffering of even one good man is needed to gain victory, it is not a true victory."

Once upon time there was a beautiful princess who greatly loved her family. Her mother, father, and brother all lived in peace and harmon...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Clare rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: quamut-quality-smut

I totally loved this book. Story was great, didn't make me make fantastical leaps in belief (outside the initial: there are angels, etc.) wasn't silly, had a great romantic portion of the story. But I was totally invested in these characters. Not like those shitty Harlequin books where "He could never share his dark secret..." or "She could never share her inner demon...". I always ended up thinking: why don't you just fricking tell him/her!!!!!! You are driving me crazy! I love MJB because she...more

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Jul 09, 2010 Estara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Meljean Brook really improves from book to book regarding world-building, dialogue, characterisation and the intricacy of her overarching plot.

However, the love story internal progression was a bit too cliché for me this time. I could see that a natural conflict between a manipulating mastermind control freak and a take-it-as-it-comes-and-then-deal-with-it guy would be lack of knowledge, but the
a) he starts to trust her because he's so attracted to her body and hitting-five-birds-with-one-stone...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Patricia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: source-gift-or-rak, 2011, review-planned, _adult, paranormal-angels-demons-gods, paranormal-nephilim, paranormal-vampires

Ah, Taylor and Micheal. It's so hard to focus on the real story when the bigger picture keeps lulling me in. "Patricia," it says, "Look. Some Michael-scenes." And, needy dumbhead (<- um..) that I am, I bookmark every scene. Talk about pathetic.

I don't know how I'd rate the book if I hadn't read the others. Probably not as good as I do now, but everything the characters say and do has much more meaning to it when you know their history, right? (So, I guess.. 3-3.5 for the main part and 4.5 for...more Ah, Taylor and Micheal. It's so hard to focus on the real story when the bigger picture keeps lulling me in. "Patricia," it says, "Look. Some Michael-scenes." And, needy dumbhead (<- um..) that I am, I bookmark every scene. Talk about pathetic.

I don't know how I'd rate the book if I hadn't read the others. Probably not as good as I do now, but everything the characters say and do has much more meaning to it when you know their history, right? (So, I guess.. 3-3.5 for the main part and 4.5 for some others.. which leaves me with a 3.5 star rating..)

Although the h/h certainly outshine many other pnr couples, imho they don't really compare to Savi, Colin, Charlie or Hugh, who are my favorite characters in the series and in Savi and Colin's case probably also my favorite couple. :)

Rosalie and Deacon were introduced in the fifth novel. Rosalie as the Guardian who'd been captured years ago and then found by Alejandro and Irena, because Deacon, a vampire, pointed them to her. He lost all that ever mattered to him, his two best friends and lovers, his community and his pride to a demon who forced him to betray the Guardians and one of his close friends, to save his community, thereby setting things into motion that eventually killed Dru, a Guardian, and two or more vampires. In the end the demon lied and all that Deacon had left was the need to take revenge.. and of course the annoying charactertrait to blame everything that goes wrong on himself. Of course, Rosalie doesn't only blame anything that goes wrong in her life and the lives of her friends on her, but also everything that goes wrong in the life of ducks. Or ants. Or .. idk.

You can see the characterdevelopment and I have to admit that both of them and their tortured-heroIne-thing didn't really bother me that much. And the ending, oh my. I liiiked it. It was my type of melodrama and as long as I don't reread it I'll keep my enthusiasm and won't let my cynic nature (read: bitternes) rip it apart. ;>

As the book before, Demon Blood was a little slower in the beginning than I expected. But the last third definitely makes up for it and was a. action-packed and b. very satisfying to read.

-- I'm now trying to convince myself that I shouldn't read the seventh novel right away, because there are some months between now and the last novel's date of publication.. So.. Um. Awesome series, I'm in love with Meljean Brook and might start to call her Meljean, because in my head we're very close friends and .. um.. what do close friends do? oô Bake. We bake. (Oy..) --

Full review to come.

~~Won't read it until I bought the 5 prequels. Got the book as a gift. :)~~

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Aug 26, 2011 Brenda Chan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm a little disappointed in this one, given how much I love the previous books in this series. Two main characters with low self-esteem, one of whom has a martyr complex...sounds like my worst nightmare: two characters forever circling each other with I'm sorry's and I'm not worthy of you's. But it's Meljean Brook and she's never failed to make me care for her characters before, so I hung in there.

The worldbuilding stays superb as always. I thought it was good in its plot continuity and I'm de...more I'm a little disappointed in this one, given how much I love the previous books in this series. Two main characters with low self-esteem, one of whom has a martyr complex...sounds like my worst nightmare: two characters forever circling each other with I'm sorry's and I'm not worthy of you's. But it's Meljean Brook and she's never failed to make me care for her characters before, so I hung in there.

The worldbuilding stays superb as always. I thought it was good in its plot continuity and I'm definitely going to continue reading the series, but the romance in this book got a bit tiresome with the conflict being so dragged out and repetitive. It also felt like such a cop-out to keep Rosalia's history with Deacon a secret in order to pull it out as a last-minute 'proof' of the sincerity of her love. I guess I did already see that coming, but I had hoped it wouldn't play out like that anyway. Like Rosalia, I was frustrated that the only apparent reason Deacon came to his senses was because of the past-reveal, instead of everything they'd had together up to then. (But since she apparently only really needed to hear Deacon say he loved her to gloss over everything that had gone wrong, it was more of a problem for me than for her.) This book should've been about their emotional journey together, and if Deacon himself couldn't be convinced within their admittedly short acquaintance with each other of the strength of their connection (needing instead the past-reveal mentioned above), I don't see why I would be.

It ends with Deacon going on about wanting to prove himself worthy of her though, I'm guessing that's new for Rosalia seeing how everyone else used to only take her for granted? But dear lord, I think they would be a tiresome couple to be around. "I'm not worthy of you. I'm sorry!" "It's okay. No really, I'M sorry!"

I felt really bad for Rosalia throughout the whole book. Despite everyone's admiration for her, she never seemed to crawl out of that poor self-image zone she stuck herself in, and even more galling was how obvious it was to Deacon. Because of that, I always felt that Deacon had the upper hand in all their interactions. He felt used and at a disadvantage yes, but he was never beaten down, never failed to strike back. Meanwhile, Rosalia was everyone's emotional punching bag. Yes Deacon recognizes that and will probably help shield her from that in the future, but it doesn't reassure the reader to know that he himself had also contributed to those wounds when he was angry and hurting. Rosalia seems to have no emotional defenses of her own, and I would've liked to have felt that he wouldn't use that against her ever. Ah well.

Going off tangent - sometimes I feel a bit stupid when I cannot follow the underlying meanings alluded to in the dialogue. I still don't know WHAT exactly it is Rosalia suspects Madelyn did to St. Croix that was so depraved :((less)

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Sep 29, 2010 Lin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-covers, 2010, romance, supernatural

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. More hinty than spoilery review (Best not to read if you haven't read Demon Forged! And why haven't you?! Hop to it)

"So I just want to say, Thank you for watching my back and saving my ass. Multiple times. And as soon as I figure out how, I promise I'll save yours."

This book is about Rosalia and Deacon, except that after the end of Demon Forged the parts I really concentrated on were about Taylor. Its a credit to Brook that I am still close to sobbing every time Taylor appears and her last scene...more

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Nov 06, 2010 Katrina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Arc review. 7th Book in the ongoing series.

Being a fan of Meljeans previous Guardian series this Book I found to be my most favourite of the series. I really enjoyed the introduction it gave me an insite to the begining of all. I have read all to date in the series and I personally wouldnt recomended anyone that has not at least read a few to read this one. I find that there are characters you will not relate to. Decon is not as easily liked as the former guardians eg Michael and Jake or Drifte...more

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Jul 23, 2010 VampFanGirl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, favorite-books-of-2010, favorites

My Review:

The Plot:

A story of two broken and fundamentally flawed characters, DEMON BLOOD both resolves and perpetuates numerous epic plot arcs as these two shattered souls collide and eventually converge into one dynamic pairing. Driven by a vengeful purpose, a Guardian bravely reaches out to the vampire that has unknowingly held her heart for a century despite the rejection her touch is sure to face since its both very much unwanted and felt to be wholly undeserved.

A burning need for revenge...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Jill Dunlop rated it 4 of 5 stars

Demon Blood is the 6th book in Meljean Brook's Guardian Series. Deacon is a vampire out for revenge after having lost his people and was cruelly tortured by Demons. Rosalia sees an opportunity to help Deacon with his revenge that will also benefit the guardians as well. Laying out a complicated plan, with Deacon the key player, Rosalia hopes to tip the tables between the battle of good and evil.

I am probably simplifying the plot with the above summary. If any readers have read Meljean Brooks bef...more

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Jul 14, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Deacon, a once a much respected vampire leader now has a vendetta. When his two vampire lovers were kidnapped by a demon, he had no choice but to betray the Guardian angels who are tying their best to stop an apocalypse on Earth from happening. Deacon did what he had to do, but in the end it was all for naught because the demon ended up slaughtering his people and turning his two lovers to dust. Michael, the Doyen, who has ruled over the Guardians, sacrificed himself to stop those evil powers in...more Deacon, a once a much respected vampire leader now has a vendetta. When his two vampire lovers were kidnapped by a demon, he had no choice but to betray the Guardian angels who are tying their best to stop an apocalypse on Earth from happening. Deacon did what he had to do, but in the end it was all for naught because the demon ended up slaughtering his people and turning his two lovers to dust. Michael, the Doyen, who has ruled over the Guardians, sacrificed himself to stop those evil powers in Hell from destroying the Earth, but all for a price. Deacon is now no longer safe. Rosalia, a guardian, wants nothing more than to keep Deacon alive and close by for not only his protection, but because of her deep desire for him.

Six months after the mass vampire killings, the Guardians are in a tailspin. The recently murdered and former detective turned Guardian Taylor is being controlled by Michael as he suffers in Hell. Taylor stalks Deacon nightly in order to kill him by no choice of her own. Rosalia takes it upon herself to watch over Deacon and teams up with him as he travels through Europe, taking down demons that pretend to be vampires for the purpose of eliminating the vampire community off the face of the Earth.

Deacon suffers from guilt and the loss of his loved ones as Rosalia tries to help him heal. But there is danger from all sides and Deacon refuses to forgive himself and allow Rosalia into his heart. Both must come to terms with their past and be very aware that the future for humans, vampires and even the guardians themselves may end in catastrophe all because of a age old prophecy that is close to be fulfilled.

Demon Blood is raw, dark and full of tension where you have no idea how things will end. This latest addition in Meljean Brook's Guardian Novel series is leading the reader to the final countdown that has been building up steadily over the past six books.

After reading Demon Forged, which was my favorite book from last year and almost ripped my heart out from the intensity and deep emotion, I wasn't sure what to expect with Demon Blood. Deacon and Rosalia's journey for their own HEA in Demon Blood is a very long and sometimes a tedious one. These two are very strong willed individuals, and because of that, they are constantly at odds with one another. They push and pull back and forth and it causes their relationship to suffer. Deacon is a very dedicated individual who loves deeply. We see this as he comes to terms with the loss of his two lovers and old friends who have turned their back on him. Rosalia wants his regard and love, but he keeps her away. Deacon doesn't mind acting on their attraction, but he refuses to let Rosalia know the true him. Make no mistake, the attraction and lust between these two smolders below the surface, and when it explodes, you'll need to suck on a few ice cubes. The love scenes are almost animalistic in nature and won't disappoint. Emotions are running high in Demon Blood where so many lines are being crossed.

I had more of emotional connection with Deacon. I think it was because Deacon was truly all alone with no support or anyone to turn to. Rosalia is more than willing to help him and I do believe she would die for him if she had to. There is so much anger and disappoint coming from both that there was never a moment where they could relax and try to work out things together. It also doesn't help that everywhere Deacon turns Taylor is there to snuff him out. For the first time since reading this series, I was so angry at Michael. But I trust he'll be redeemed. (Can Meljean really be that evil and not give Michael peace?)

Meljean is one of the most talented authors today writing masterful paranormal romances. I found Demon Blood both equally awesome and frustrating at times. This is a book that will blow your mind away by the sheer story building and the incredible depth of the characters. (less)

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Jul 10, 2010 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, paranormal, contemporary, vampire

Deacon's had a rough year. Demons blackmailed him and then killed his entire vampire group in Demon Forged. Now he set on death by demon, taking out as many with him when he goes. Rosalia sees the bigger picture, both the good in Deacon and a way to wipe out demons. Now she just has to convince Deacon to go along with her plan.

Why I picked this book up: I love this series! Brook knows how to build believable characters. It's most impressive because she creates characters with hundreds of years o...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Cynthia rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm an avid fan of Meljean Brook's Guardian series, and although I've enjoyed all the books in this series so far, I have to say that Demon Blood was definitely one of my favourites. The plot is so beautifully intricate and clever, always keeping you in a state of wonderment as to how Brook plans to get the main characters out of the elaborate web she's weaving. It definitely has you sitting on the edge of your seat!
The dynamics between our two protagonists, Rosalia and Deacon, are also incredi...more

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Sep 17, 2010 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I started this book more excited about the romance than the main plot, but I ended the other way around. Rosalia and Deacon are both very damaged people, and they both have to change in order to find happiness with themselves and each other. However, I thought Brook treaded a little to heavily on the wrong side of the "neither character believes the other could really love him/her" line. It's a fine line, to be sure. And given that Rosalia is a master manipulator and Deacon has lots of good reas...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Michelle Cummings rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Again, really a 4 1/2 star book, but I need to save the 5 stars for the best. This story centers on Rosalia and Deacon who were introduced in the previous book, and at least for Deacon, not necessarily in a good way. It's amazing to me how an author can take a character that you might not be too fond of, and rehabilitate them in such a way that you are really rooting for them.

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Feb 28, 2011 Hbeebti rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: used

Each book gets better and better. I think I love this one the most though. Deacon was the biggest jerk ( love it) so full of brooding angst. UGH! So much self loathing. Rosie was so sweet and mothering to everyone. Her son Vin pissed me off a few times.

Rose wants the demons to pay for killing her friends and family and that plan includes Deacon to help get rid of them. Deacon wants to kill them all for taking away everything that he loves as well but without Rose. He wants to go at it alone. He...more

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Oct 06, 2010 Sarah A. rated it 4 of 5 stars

LOVED ITTTT!

Rosalia is an amazing heroine. The book is so.... clever! The plan they made was unbelievable and it had me gaping my mouth stupidly reading it! Meljean Brook is such an intelligent writer and I depend on that fact when I start reading one of her books cause I just hate to read a book that I can tell beforehand what'll happen. Will be waiting on edge for the next book.

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May 06, 2012 Amber rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Explanations of history for the characters were sometimes cumbersome to wade through and I got kinda tired of the heroine crying through every sexy time portion of the story. It was an interesting plot, but seems like it needed more than one book to be successfully accomplished. I loved the complexity of the character relationships, though.

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Dec 27, 2010 Princessjay rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, romance

Well-written characters, as always, set in a well-written world. The plot, though, seriously tested my ability to suspend belief. This woman--the heroine--is written as a beautiful, sexy, ultra-giving door mat, with the mind of a super-computer and a strong whiff of the submissive to her sexuality. The hero, made cynical by a recent trauma, rejects her again and again and again. And again.

I typically like how Ms. Brook's characters usually fall in love with the goodness in each other's souls (de...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Smokinhotbooks K.C. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think this one is my favorite so far. The romance is front and center and the author didn't deviate too much from the main character's storyline. I'll be honest Rosalia wasn't a character I'd jump up and down to read from previous books, but I ended up liking her story...A LOT.

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Jun 01, 2012 Edie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: heroine-goodness, nom-nom

Love Rosie, the hero didn't work for me as much.
But the book still had all the hallmarks of Brook's work that I adore, strong heroine, addictive story, strong emotions and action-packed.
And I really, really hope Taylor kicks Michael's arse in their story.

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About Meljean Brook

Book info: I am the author of the Iron Seas steampunk romance series. I've written a guide to the world (including a map) on my website.

I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installm...more

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“Sunset was only thirty minutes gone when some pissant vampire waylaid Deacon on his way to Theriault's. One of those younger shits who wrote poetry to Mother Darkness and thought becoming a vampire would make him sparkle.” — 5 people liked it

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Demon Blood (The Guardians #6)

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