Midnight’s Master is the beginning of Donna Grant’s Dark Warriors Series.. The Dark Warrior Series is not exactly the beginning of a series rather the middle where the Dark Swords take a slight turn.. Oh they are still fighting evil, most especially Deirdre and they are still working hard to control their inner gods.. but they have been fast forwarded to the future.. or rather NOW.. It’s hard to make a huge transition and make it work. There are so many issues and factors that could go wrong. Happily Donna makes the move with skill and style.

Upon the death of the Warrior Duncan, Ian’s twin Deidre was caught up in a maelstrom of power and flung into the future. She managed to drag some of her minions with her along with Ian. The Warriors and Druids found a way to send a select few as well. We take up this story with Logan having found himself in the alien atmosphere of 2012 Scotland. As confused as Logan was he managed to use the skills that he had learned as a Warrior and start adapting to the 21st century. And his legendary charm hasn’t failed him yet. Logan seems to be drawn to Eigg and yet isn’t sure why. He was sent to find Ian not search Eigg and yet...

Logan is a man adrift, trying to make up for one really bad choice in his past and to deal with the guilt of that life. He is the youngest of the Warrior’s having been only 100 when he was sent to the future. The guilt and his youth make for an intriguing combination. Playful, sensitive, charming and yet always aware what can happen if you make the wrong choice. He is also forever a protector.

Gwynn, is a Druid whose powers had remained hidden. Lurking in the depths of her essence. Until the death of her mother she was ignored and abandoned by him and yet finally she feels that they have a relationship and she is completely distraught to find him now missing. I like Gwynn because even though she has issues from her past she isn’t a whiny, wimpy character. She takes action.. Dad missing, Off to Scotland to find him. His job won’t help her, she threatens them with the FBI.. Finds a hunky man from the past, she works with him to not only discover who she is but to search for a missing artifact. Nothing passive about this girl.

Logan and Gwynn work together to find the missing artifact on the isle of Eigg.. I like the way the learn together. It is a more equal relationship than many because while she is learning about her powers, something Logan has a history with and knows about.. He is learning about the current times, something Gwynn can teach him. They each recognize the strength in each other.

As this is a book about the Warriors, Deidre is never far away.. she has found herself held captive by another Drough... one determined to connect with her and then rule the earth with her forever. Declan is devious and a 21st century villain. Poor Deidre *snicker* has to deal with some time in captivity herself. Too bad.. *grins* I am not sure if Declan is Deidre’s equal or not only time will tell but I really like his insidious evil.

The one thing I worried and wondered about when Donna brought her Warrior’s forward was if we were going to see all of them and MacLeaod’s keep. I kept thinking poor Logan was going to go to the keep and find it a ruin, with everyone either dead. Ms Grant kept me guessing for most of the book.. And I am happy to say she dealt with the keep, Warriors and Druids in a feasible manner. Explaining how they might possibly survive 400 years unknown.

I have always liked the Dark Sword Series and feel that Ms Grant did a successful job of pulling them forward while keeping the mystery and magic of her stories complete. You seriously have to read this book!!

Shauni

Read more reviews by Shauni at
Tea and Book and Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy