Awww hell! what is it about the brooding, tortured alpha males that get under our skin? I had been looking forward to Tegan's story since he was first mentioned. Cold, distant and to the point of being considered cruel and without emotion, this story met and exceeded my expectations. Having lost his mate centuries ago under horrific circumstances, Tegan's vowed never to love again and devoted everything he had to the war against the Rogues and their leader. Elise, who me met in Kiss of Crimson, was still mourning the death of her mate and her son. While I realize she was in a state of mourning, she seemed like this lost female who had practically given up on life and wandered around as if in a catatonic state. At the beginning of Awakening she has decided to leave the sanctity of the Darkhaven and is eager to avenge her son. She sheds her sheltered persona for a more warrior-like one (right on!). There's the small matter of her gift that gets in the way and no need to guess who sort of comes to her rescue.
The push and pull between Elise and Tegan's doesn't happen quickly or easily which was a nice change of pace. The author took the time to lay their individual pasts out fully which helped a lot to understand them and appreciate their growth. The changes in scenery, since this one takes the Order to Europe, was another nice change of pace to keep the excitement and anticipation up. The ending packs quite a punch as a new and probably more dangerous threat emerges. I read this in one sitting without a break because I couldn't put it down. It's that good!