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Paladins of Darkness #3
In Darkness Reborn
Alexis Morgan continues her red-hot paranormal series with a mysterious warrior and his forbidden love for a woman who's allegiance lies with his sworn enemy. . . .
Once a warrior for the Others, Barak q'Young is caught between two worlds -- exiled from his homeland, and a pariah among his enemies, the Paladins. While hunting a betrayer who's selling the precious blue gems that light the Others' world, Barak must aid geologist Lacey Sebastian in her research for the Paladins. Barak is instantly drawn to the fiery, beautiful woman, but Lacey initially despises the enemy intruder. Soon she sees beyond his violent past, though, finding the dark warrior intriguing -- and extremely sexy.
Though neither can resist the passion that blazes between them, Barak is torn between loyalties, hiding a secret gift that could prove useful to Lacey's research, at the sacrifice of his own people. But when Lacey is kidnapped and held hostage, Barak realizes he will do anything to save her . . . even risk his own life.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 26, 2007
21 people are currently reading
1045 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Morgan
97 books999 followersAlexis Morgan grew up near St. Louis and received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have made the Pacific Northwest their home for more than thirty years, where she launched her career as a writer. She is published in paranormal romance, fantasy romance, American West historicals, and most recently, contemporary romances with her new Snowberry Creek series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 12, 2011
I have to say, Alexis Morgan's Paladins of Darkness series is really starting to grow on me. I had some critical issues with the first two books, Dark Protector and Dark Defender, that kept them from being truly stellar reading experiences for me (I liked both, but I didn't love them and rated each three stars)...and in truth, I thought there were a few in this book as well, but Barak's story is by far my favorite of the first three books.
Barak, the Other who saved the handler Laurel's life in Dark Protector, is having a lonely, difficult time adjusting to life on this side of the barrier, especially as he's well aware of how deeply his presence breeds resentment and anger in the Paladins around him. They are his mortal enemies after all. Finally, when the smack talk starts including Laurel, her mate Devlin Bane steps in and arranges a transfer of the Other to a less Paladin-heavy area of the Center than the medical ward. Having the Other forced on her doesn't do anything to please geologist and vulcanologist Dr. Lacey Sebastian, especially as her brother Penn is a Paladin and she's been raised to loathe the species responsible for so much death and destruction. But she's forced to accept Barak into her department, and she does actually need the help...but she sure wasn't expecting the zing of...something...that she got when she first shakes Barak's hand. A tremor of that particular magnitude is destined to rock both their worlds. But Barak is Other, and as much as he chose to cross the barrier, he cannot risk sharing secrets that would make it easier for the Paladins to kill his kind, no matter how attracted to Lacey he becomes...and how very much just not being so alone any more means to him.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions about this series that probably should've been already addressed. I still have problems with some inconsistencies in mythos between the three books and some contradictory information. I'm still very confused and don't quite buy the way that Barak has been accepted - no matter how reluctantly everyone says it is - into the Paladin's stronghold and be allowed to walk around relatively unmolested. Yes, he's different than the mindlessly mad Others that surge across every time the barrier falls, but he's still Other - and no one's been interrogating him or pressing him for information on his species because one handler has befriended him? Even if that handler is the head Paladin's lover? That strains my willing suspension of disbelief to the breaking point, and always will. That being said, Barak's story - Barak as a character, actually - struck such a sympathetic chord with me that all the issues and the previous plot holes and contradictions didn't seem quite so glaring in In Darkness Reborn.
I feel for Barak. Alone - for longer than he's just been on this side of the barrier - and deeply lonely for it. Hated and reviled for what he is. No one but Laurel, really, with any sense of interest to look beyond that to who he is. Living a tentative existence at the mercy of Paladins who are sworn mortal enemies. Unable and unwilling to forswear his sense of honor and be a traitor to his people, despite obvious issues with the world he came from. And deeply attracted to a woman who loathes him. I found him to be a very sympathetic and deeply honorable character, and I found a lot of poignancy and relevancy to his struggles as his and Lacey's relationship started to evolve. In it were echoes of the struggles and concerns of bigotry and intolerance. I think the concerns raised here hearken to the real world struggles of bi-racial couples, same-sex couples, and any other "unconventional" relationship. I found that aspect to be rewarding to read about.
Yes, I had some issues. I was deeply disappointed that we still haven't been given much more than a glimpse into the motivations and life of an Other...and I'm very frustrated that an entire book with an Other as the main character didn't reveal what the heck they call themselves! "Other" starts to get demeaning after awhile. I didn't totally buy the rather quick evolution from loathing and disgust to love that Lacey went through. It wasn't horrible, there was time that passed, but I think it would've been a bit more believable had her original position not been quite so negative. Still...the reason she felt so negative, with a brother as a Paladin, was understandable. I'm also more than a little tired of the seeming repetition of the mysterious big bad guy who moves his wee little corruptible pawns around with anonymous (for the reader) phone calls and visitations. In the first book, the guard was the corrupt pawn, the regent lost his life for it in the second, and in the third we have...the IT guy with a gambling problem. All being manipulated and maneuvered by the Evil Man Behind the Curtain. After three books that thread is getting more than a little frayed. I'd like to see some true progression. And frankly, I still don't buy into illegal gem trading as a very convincing way to make a lot of money. How do you sell gems that don't exist in our world? Wouldn't that draw some attention?
Regardless, all those issues really faded in importance with the way Barak's personality stole the show for me in In Darkness Reborn. I genuinely liked him and totally sympathized with his very internal struggles. And I liked Lacey, too. Yeah, she did a bit of an abrupt about face on her feelings, but she's smart, spunky, and really good at her job and I like that in a female lead. I'm enjoying the series more and more and look forward to continuing with the next installment!
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Barak, the Other who saved the handler Laurel's life in Dark Protector, is having a lonely, difficult time adjusting to life on this side of the barrier, especially as he's well aware of how deeply his presence breeds resentment and anger in the Paladins around him. They are his mortal enemies after all. Finally, when the smack talk starts including Laurel, her mate Devlin Bane steps in and arranges a transfer of the Other to a less Paladin-heavy area of the Center than the medical ward. Having the Other forced on her doesn't do anything to please geologist and vulcanologist Dr. Lacey Sebastian, especially as her brother Penn is a Paladin and she's been raised to loathe the species responsible for so much death and destruction. But she's forced to accept Barak into her department, and she does actually need the help...but she sure wasn't expecting the zing of...something...that she got when she first shakes Barak's hand. A tremor of that particular magnitude is destined to rock both their worlds. But Barak is Other, and as much as he chose to cross the barrier, he cannot risk sharing secrets that would make it easier for the Paladins to kill his kind, no matter how attracted to Lacey he becomes...and how very much just not being so alone any more means to him.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions about this series that probably should've been already addressed. I still have problems with some inconsistencies in mythos between the three books and some contradictory information. I'm still very confused and don't quite buy the way that Barak has been accepted - no matter how reluctantly everyone says it is - into the Paladin's stronghold and be allowed to walk around relatively unmolested. Yes, he's different than the mindlessly mad Others that surge across every time the barrier falls, but he's still Other - and no one's been interrogating him or pressing him for information on his species because one handler has befriended him? Even if that handler is the head Paladin's lover? That strains my willing suspension of disbelief to the breaking point, and always will. That being said, Barak's story - Barak as a character, actually - struck such a sympathetic chord with me that all the issues and the previous plot holes and contradictions didn't seem quite so glaring in In Darkness Reborn.
I feel for Barak. Alone - for longer than he's just been on this side of the barrier - and deeply lonely for it. Hated and reviled for what he is. No one but Laurel, really, with any sense of interest to look beyond that to who he is. Living a tentative existence at the mercy of Paladins who are sworn mortal enemies. Unable and unwilling to forswear his sense of honor and be a traitor to his people, despite obvious issues with the world he came from. And deeply attracted to a woman who loathes him. I found him to be a very sympathetic and deeply honorable character, and I found a lot of poignancy and relevancy to his struggles as his and Lacey's relationship started to evolve. In it were echoes of the struggles and concerns of bigotry and intolerance. I think the concerns raised here hearken to the real world struggles of bi-racial couples, same-sex couples, and any other "unconventional" relationship. I found that aspect to be rewarding to read about.
Yes, I had some issues. I was deeply disappointed that we still haven't been given much more than a glimpse into the motivations and life of an Other...and I'm very frustrated that an entire book with an Other as the main character didn't reveal what the heck they call themselves! "Other" starts to get demeaning after awhile. I didn't totally buy the rather quick evolution from loathing and disgust to love that Lacey went through. It wasn't horrible, there was time that passed, but I think it would've been a bit more believable had her original position not been quite so negative. Still...the reason she felt so negative, with a brother as a Paladin, was understandable. I'm also more than a little tired of the seeming repetition of the mysterious big bad guy who moves his wee little corruptible pawns around with anonymous (for the reader) phone calls and visitations. In the first book, the guard was the corrupt pawn, the regent lost his life for it in the second, and in the third we have...the IT guy with a gambling problem. All being manipulated and maneuvered by the Evil Man Behind the Curtain. After three books that thread is getting more than a little frayed. I'd like to see some true progression. And frankly, I still don't buy into illegal gem trading as a very convincing way to make a lot of money. How do you sell gems that don't exist in our world? Wouldn't that draw some attention?
Regardless, all those issues really faded in importance with the way Barak's personality stole the show for me in In Darkness Reborn. I genuinely liked him and totally sympathized with his very internal struggles. And I liked Lacey, too. Yeah, she did a bit of an abrupt about face on her feelings, but she's smart, spunky, and really good at her job and I like that in a female lead. I'm enjoying the series more and more and look forward to continuing with the next installment!
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
April 11, 2025
LACKING IN DEPTH
👍Devlin: I liked how welcoming Devlin was of Barak.
👎Barak and Lacy: Those two were just too hot and cold for my liking.
👎Barak: I really wanted to see more depth from Barak, I had a hard time connecting with him and understanding his motivatins
👍Devlin: I liked how welcoming Devlin was of Barak.
👎Barak and Lacy: Those two were just too hot and cold for my liking.
👎Barak: I really wanted to see more depth from Barak, I had a hard time connecting with him and understanding his motivatins
July 17, 2015
Barak is the enemy. At least that’s what everyone thinks of him since he- well, he sorta is. Part of a race from another dimension called “The Others”, Barak q’Young found himself exiled from his world and living with his hated foes, when he went against his family and his people and made a stand for right. Seen as a traitor in his world, he’s not much more welcome on earth, but that’s all about to change.
Lacey Sebastian doesn’t like that she’s been forced to harbor an “other” in her lab. But she’ll do anything to get the funding for her projects- including accept the aid of an Other. Close work and surviving danger together overcomes much of her reticence. Though trust is hard won on both sides, instant attraction eases the way for an intense relationship both never saw coming.
Overcoming obstacles of hate turns out to be the easy part- it will be duty and mistrust that will be the biggest blow to their ability to go the distance… and the unstable mountain separating their worlds.
Trucking along in this series, I liked this one okay, but I enjoyed the previous entry much more. I liked Barak a lot- but Lacey's refusal to accept him for what he was kept much of the sizzle out their story for me. It just felt sorta flat to me.
The paladin series by Morgan are easy reads and good filler until some of my favorite authors FINALLY GET ANOTHER BOOK OUT.
Yeesh.
Lacey Sebastian doesn’t like that she’s been forced to harbor an “other” in her lab. But she’ll do anything to get the funding for her projects- including accept the aid of an Other. Close work and surviving danger together overcomes much of her reticence. Though trust is hard won on both sides, instant attraction eases the way for an intense relationship both never saw coming.
Overcoming obstacles of hate turns out to be the easy part- it will be duty and mistrust that will be the biggest blow to their ability to go the distance… and the unstable mountain separating their worlds.
Trucking along in this series, I liked this one okay, but I enjoyed the previous entry much more. I liked Barak a lot- but Lacey's refusal to accept him for what he was kept much of the sizzle out their story for me. It just felt sorta flat to me.
The paladin series by Morgan are easy reads and good filler until some of my favorite authors FINALLY GET ANOTHER BOOK OUT.
Yeesh.
May 1, 2022
I thought this was ok. I hadn't read the others in the series and I think you need to read the others before this as I got a bit lost at the start.
April 19, 2010
Oh I am so happy that Barak got his woman! He is an "Other," an alien from the other side of the Barrier that the Paladins protect. It was nice to see that the Others are in fact a normal civilization that somehow gets a madness (similar to the Paladins when they have died too many times) and that they come into our world for the light. In their world the sun has been steadily dying and it is only a dim moon that lights the planet. Barak is constantly referred to as the "pet Other" and finally we see he is one super hot male warrior!
Lacey is Penn Sebastien's sister, and the resident geologist. She and Barak have a tentative working relationship, and a super hot sexual chemistry. Lacey is at first embarrassed by the fact that she is sleeping with an "other" I mean, gasp, what if Penn found out! But then she grows up a bit, realizes that it's love, not lust and unfortunately gets kidnapped by the bad guys!!!
Said bad guys are stealing blue stones from Barak's world, which makes the Paladins mad since it seems to be used to barter their way to Earth...but Barak is FURIOUS. Those blue gems are really a source of energy for his dying homeworld, and only a few (like himself) can work the gems to give off the energy his planet needs to survive. So what that really means, is that some of the others and some humans are working together to rape Kalithia of it's energy, only to have the Kaliths who paid a fortune in gems get slaughtered at the end of Paladin swords!
Barak works together with the Paladins to save Lacey, and earns their respect in the process, and he and Lacey get a HEA..not that easily of course, but who am I to ruin the fun?
Lacey is Penn Sebastien's sister, and the resident geologist. She and Barak have a tentative working relationship, and a super hot sexual chemistry. Lacey is at first embarrassed by the fact that she is sleeping with an "other" I mean, gasp, what if Penn found out! But then she grows up a bit, realizes that it's love, not lust and unfortunately gets kidnapped by the bad guys!!!
Said bad guys are stealing blue stones from Barak's world, which makes the Paladins mad since it seems to be used to barter their way to Earth...but Barak is FURIOUS. Those blue gems are really a source of energy for his dying homeworld, and only a few (like himself) can work the gems to give off the energy his planet needs to survive. So what that really means, is that some of the others and some humans are working together to rape Kalithia of it's energy, only to have the Kaliths who paid a fortune in gems get slaughtered at the end of Paladin swords!
Barak works together with the Paladins to save Lacey, and earns their respect in the process, and he and Lacey get a HEA..not that easily of course, but who am I to ruin the fun?
May 22, 2023
I really enjoyed IN DARKNESS REBORN and I was excited to be back with the Seattle Paladins. Dr. Laurel Young stood up for Barak and kept him from being killed or sent back to his world but Barak wonders if he was really shown mercy. He struggles to fit into a world that doesn't accept him and I felt so much for Barak and his lonely existence. He has this stoic quality to his personality and you can tell he's used to being alone and he's accepted that as his lot in life. Every time he was pushed away or treated poorly by others I just wanted to hug him and tell him he was loved.
Initially, Lacey wants nothing to do with an Other and she's pissed that she's stuck with Barak. She doesn't trust him and it's made worse by Lacey's Paladin brother, Penn, who is constantly trying to pick a fight with Barak. But Lacey can't deny her attraction and she's not a woman to suffer fools, including herself. Lacey's dislike of Barak was natural considering her upbringing but there were a few times I wanted to shake her and make her see how much pain Barak was in. That being said, I really liked Lacey's fire and passion both for her work and for those she cares about.
Once these two give in they're on fire but all of their problems aren't solved because Barak is keeping some pretty big secrets and if they want to be together it may just be them against everyone else. This series continues to build momentum as the Paladins continue to look for the person who is stealing from the Other's world and going after Paladins in the human world.
Initially, Lacey wants nothing to do with an Other and she's pissed that she's stuck with Barak. She doesn't trust him and it's made worse by Lacey's Paladin brother, Penn, who is constantly trying to pick a fight with Barak. But Lacey can't deny her attraction and she's not a woman to suffer fools, including herself. Lacey's dislike of Barak was natural considering her upbringing but there were a few times I wanted to shake her and make her see how much pain Barak was in. That being said, I really liked Lacey's fire and passion both for her work and for those she cares about.
Once these two give in they're on fire but all of their problems aren't solved because Barak is keeping some pretty big secrets and if they want to be together it may just be them against everyone else. This series continues to build momentum as the Paladins continue to look for the person who is stealing from the Other's world and going after Paladins in the human world.
September 25, 2010
This series is full of sweet romance and very well written, detailed hot sex scenes. It's great to see how the dominant male deals with his emotions and how the relationship grows but they don't show much nothing else, for example how they investigate.
That side of the story isn't written out at all and sometimes it seems they don't do much but suddenly if it benefits the story some info trickles in from somewhere. It looks like there was just a bad guy needed to explain why there are Paladins at all (till the next book in the series - Redeemed In Darkness - we don't know much about the Others) and this book makes you really confused considering why Barak isn't crazy but allegedly all the Others that cross the barrier are. I know, I know, it all comes out in Redeemed In Darkness but it's just doesn't feel very well thought out.
AND the biggest thing that bothered me in the first three books in the series was that the story lines were pretty similar and in the end the bad guy always did something desperate and utterly stupid and got himself killed. I can understand that some bad guys are stupid but all of them? Really? How the hell did they manage to operate so long?
That side of the story isn't written out at all and sometimes it seems they don't do much but suddenly if it benefits the story some info trickles in from somewhere. It looks like there was just a bad guy needed to explain why there are Paladins at all (till the next book in the series - Redeemed In Darkness - we don't know much about the Others) and this book makes you really confused considering why Barak isn't crazy but allegedly all the Others that cross the barrier are. I know, I know, it all comes out in Redeemed In Darkness but it's just doesn't feel very well thought out.
AND the biggest thing that bothered me in the first three books in the series was that the story lines were pretty similar and in the end the bad guy always did something desperate and utterly stupid and got himself killed. I can understand that some bad guys are stupid but all of them? Really? How the hell did they manage to operate so long?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2013
I liked this one a lot. It was great to see things from Barak's perspective and to realize how hard it is to be so alone in an alien world surrounded by the people he's regarded as his enemy his whole life. I liked that the heroine struggled with her attraction to him and took a while to truly be open to the possibility of a relationship together. I also liked that Barak refused to get too close to her until she could settle it all in her mind and truly be willing to be with him out in the open and not hide him like a dirty little secret.
It was nice to see the Other/Paladin prejudice confronted here. Getting to know Barak made me realize how close minded most of the Paladins are. Even after knowing him they never bothered to ask why his people kept coming over or even what their race calls themselves. They're mostly just content to keep killing them and leave them as the mysterious 'Others'.
It was nice to see the Other/Paladin prejudice confronted here. Getting to know Barak made me realize how close minded most of the Paladins are. Even after knowing him they never bothered to ask why his people kept coming over or even what their race calls themselves. They're mostly just content to keep killing them and leave them as the mysterious 'Others'.
March 28, 2009
This one was better than the previous 2.
Barak is an Other who came across the barrier and actually saved Laurel's life. But noone but Laurel trusts him and Devilin is not happy with him working in the same lab as Laurel.
lacey Sebastian is a scientist, geology and vulcanlogy and Barak is sent to her as an assistant. And what happens sets the pages on fire. But they are also still trying to figure out who is trafficing the blue stones from the Others world into ours.
Just like the other 2, it will keep you enthralled and the love story is not bad either
Barak is an Other who came across the barrier and actually saved Laurel's life. But noone but Laurel trusts him and Devilin is not happy with him working in the same lab as Laurel.
lacey Sebastian is a scientist, geology and vulcanlogy and Barak is sent to her as an assistant. And what happens sets the pages on fire. But they are also still trying to figure out who is trafficing the blue stones from the Others world into ours.
Just like the other 2, it will keep you enthralled and the love story is not bad either
March 25, 2009
In Darkness Reborn is the story of Barak, an Other, who we met in book one of the series when he saved Dr. Laurel Young’s life. Dr. Young has done her best to keep Barak safe with the backing of the leader of the Seattle Paladins, Devlin Bane...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books, for the review of In Darkness Reborn in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books, for the review of In Darkness Reborn in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
July 9, 2009
like the concept of The Others and the enemies, the Paladins
and again as you meet different characters become involved
in their life stories also. The men again are strong and
sexy and the warriors meet their women in engaging situations.
Great sexual tension and what is going to happen when that
damn barrier is breached again keeps you wanting to turn the page!
and again as you meet different characters become involved
in their life stories also. The men again are strong and
sexy and the warriors meet their women in engaging situations.
Great sexual tension and what is going to happen when that
damn barrier is breached again keeps you wanting to turn the page!
July 10, 2017
Mucho mejor que los dos anteriores, se conoce un poquito mas de los otros. Lacey y Barak hacen buena pareja, pero aun falta mucho y las escenas eróticas mucho mejor también. La cuatro estrellas son por Barak ya que la serie como tal aun no me convence.
January 14, 2025
แล้วก็มาถึงเล่มล่าสุดในชุดแพลลาดิน เล่มที่ทำให้แม็กซ์ไม่ผิดหวังเลยกับการอ่านหนังสือชุดนี้อย่างมาราธอนติดกันหลายเล่ม
แล้วก็ไม่สงสัยด้วยว่า ทำไมหลังจากหนังสือเล่มแรกในชุดออกมาแล้วครบปี เพื่อนที่รักของแม็กซ์ถึงเพิ่งโทรศัพท์มาบอกให้แม็กซ์รีบอ่านชุดนี้เสียที
ก็แหมพระเอกมันตรงสเป็คเราเลยนี่ค้า ผู้ชายโดดเดี่ยว นัยน์ตาเศร้า ถูกสังคมรังเกียจ ต้องอดทนต่อการเหยียดยาม แต่ก็มีศักดิ์ศรีพอที่จะกล้าสู้ในยามจำเป็น (นึกถึงเชลยศักดิ์ยังไงยังงั้นเลย)
ในเล่มนี้ คนอ่านจะได้เห็นอีกมุมมองนึงในสงครามระหว่างแพลลาดินและคนจากโลกอื่น เพราะบารัคพระเอกในเรื่องไม่ใช่แพลลาดิน แต่เป็นคนจากโลกอื่นที่ข้ามมาโลกมนุษย์ได้สำเร็จ เหตุผลเดียวที่เขาไม่ถูกแพลลาดินฆ่าตาย เป็นเพราะเมื่อตอนที่เขาข้ามมานั้น เขาได้เสี่ยงตายช่วยชีวิตลอเรนเอาไว้ และนั่นก็มากพอที่เดฟลินจะให้ความคุ้มครองเขา
แต่ความคุ้มครองไม่ได้หมายถึงการยอมรับ เขายังเป็นคนนอกที่ถูกรังเกียจ ไม่มีใครต้องการ เขาต้องใช้ชีวิตอย่างโดดเดี่ยวโดยไม่มีทางเลือก บารัคเป็นตัวละครที่เตือนให้แม็กซ์นึกถึงพระเอกอีกคนที่ไม่ค่อยได้เห็นใน หน้าโรแมนซ์นัก อย่างโรเบิร์ต คาร์โรเวย์ พระเอกของเรื่อง Englands Perfect Hero ของซูซาน อิน็อค
ความเงียบสงบความเคลื่อนไหว และเป็นเสน่ห์ที่เกินจะห้ามใจได้ แม็กซ์พบว่าตัวเองตกหลุมรักบารัคขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ แม้ว่าทั้งเล่ม คนอ่านแทบจะไม่ได้รู้ความเป็นมาของเขาเลย
เรารู้แค่บารัคข้ามมายังโลกมนุษย์เพราะหวังที่จะ ตายภายใต้คมดาบของแพลลาดิน บางอย่างทำให้เขาทนอยู่ในโลกของตัวเองไม่ได้ แต่เมื่อแพลลาดินปฏิเสธที่จะฆ่าเขา เขาก็เริ่มต้นสร้างชีวิตของตัวเองที่นี่อย่างช้า ๆ ท่ามกลางความเกียจชัง
บารัคไม่ใช่พระเอกไปประเภทศักดิ์ศรีค้ำสมอง เขาไม่ได้ปล่อยให้ศักดิ์ศรีมีค่าเหนือสามัญสำนึกทั่วไป เขาอดทนจนถึงจุดหนึ่ง แต่ไม่ใช่ว่าความอดทนของเขาจะไม่มีที่สิ้นสุด เขาเลือกสนามรบของเขาเอง เพราะเขาเป็นเพียงคนเดียวที่อยู่ท่ามกลางศัตรู
แม็กซ์ชอบวิธีที่อเล็กซิสเขียน ความยอมรับที่บารัคได้รับจากเหล่าแพลลาดินไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นเพียงชั่วข้ามคืน มันใช้เวลา และมันเป็นการเดินทางที่เจ็บปวดสำหรับเขา โดยเฉพาะเมื่อเขาตกหลุมรักน้องสาวของแพลลาดิน หญิงสาวที่ไม่กล้าจะเปิดเผยความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ให้คนอื่นรับรู้
นี่อาจเป็นนิยายเพียงเล่มเดียวก็ได้ ที่แม็กซ์รักพระเอกแม้จะไม่รู้จักเขาเลย คำว่า รู้จัก ในความหมายของแม็กซ์ก็คือ ประวัติความเป็นมา ความสามารถพิเศษของเขา เรื่องเหล่านั้น แม้กระทั่งจบเรื่องก็ยังคงเป็นปริศนา เรารู้ว่าบารัคมีความสามารถในการทำนายแผ่นดินไหว รู้ว่าเขาทำให้วัตถุประหลาดสีฟ้าเรืองแสงได้ แต่ไม่รู้ถึงความหมายของมัน เราพอเดาได้ว่า บารัคคงเป็นคนสำคัญในโลกอื่น แต่เราไม่แน่ใจว่า เขาเป็นใครกันแน่ เราพอรู้ว่ามีบางอย่างกดดันจนเขาต้องหนีมาตายเอาดาบหน้า แต่เราไม่รู้ว่ามันคืออะไร
ความไม่รู้เกี่ยวกับบารัคช่างมากมาย แต่นั่นไม่ได้ทำให้ความชอบในหนังสือเล่มนี้ของแม็กซ์ลดทอนลงเลย
เพราะอะไรน่ะเหรอ
นั่นเพราะบารัคในปัจจุบันเพียงพออยู่แล้ว โอเคล่ะ (พูดอังกฤษสำเนียงสิงคโปร์) มันคงจะดีถ้าแม็กซ์ได้รู้ภูมิหลังของเขาอย่างละเอียด แต่คนแต่งก็เก่งพอจะทำให้ภูมิหลังที่แม้จะลางเลือกเพียงพอที่จะทำให้แม็กซ์ เข้าใจตัวตนของบารัคในปัจจุบัน
แม็กซ์ชอบผู้ชายที่เขาเป็น และนั่นก็พอแล้ว
คะแนนที่ 83 ค่ะ
แล้วก็ไม่สงสัยด้วยว่า ทำไมหลังจากหนังสือเล่มแรกในชุดออกมาแล้วครบปี เพื่อนที่รักของแม็กซ์ถึงเพิ่งโทรศัพท์มาบอกให้แม็กซ์รีบอ่านชุดนี้เสียที
ก็แหมพระเอกมันตรงสเป็คเราเลยนี่ค้า ผู้ชายโดดเดี่ยว นัยน์ตาเศร้า ถูกสังคมรังเกียจ ต้องอดทนต่อการเหยียดยาม แต่ก็มีศักดิ์ศรีพอที่จะกล้าสู้ในยามจำเป็น (นึกถึงเชลยศักดิ์ยังไงยังงั้นเลย)
ในเล่มนี้ คนอ่านจะได้เห็นอีกมุมมองนึงในสงครามระหว่างแพลลาดินและคนจากโลกอื่น เพราะบารัคพระเอกในเรื่องไม่ใช่แพลลาดิน แต่เป็นคนจากโลกอื่นที่ข้ามมาโลกมนุษย์ได้สำเร็จ เหตุผลเดียวที่เขาไม่ถูกแพลลาดินฆ่าตาย เป็นเพราะเมื่อตอนที่เขาข้ามมานั้น เขาได้เสี่ยงตายช่วยชีวิตลอเรนเอาไว้ และนั่นก็มากพอที่เดฟลินจะให้ความคุ้มครองเขา
แต่ความคุ้มครองไม่ได้หมายถึงการยอมรับ เขายังเป็นคนนอกที่ถูกรังเกียจ ไม่มีใครต้องการ เขาต้องใช้ชีวิตอย่างโดดเดี่ยวโดยไม่มีทางเลือก บารัคเป็นตัวละครที่เตือนให้แม็กซ์นึกถึงพระเอกอีกคนที่ไม่ค่อยได้เห็นใน หน้าโรแมนซ์นัก อย่างโรเบิร์ต คาร์โรเวย์ พระเอกของเรื่อง Englands Perfect Hero ของซูซาน อิน็อค
ความเงียบสงบความเคลื่อนไหว และเป็นเสน่ห์ที่เกินจะห้ามใจได้ แม็กซ์พบว่าตัวเองตกหลุมรักบารัคขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ แม้ว่าทั้งเล่ม คนอ่านแทบจะไม่ได้รู้ความเป็นมาของเขาเลย
เรารู้แค่บารัคข้ามมายังโลกมนุษย์เพราะหวังที่จะ ตายภายใต้คมดาบของแพลลาดิน บางอย่างทำให้เขาทนอยู่ในโลกของตัวเองไม่ได้ แต่เมื่อแพลลาดินปฏิเสธที่จะฆ่าเขา เขาก็เริ่มต้นสร้างชีวิตของตัวเองที่นี่อย่างช้า ๆ ท่ามกลางความเกียจชัง
บารัคไม่ใช่พระเอกไปประเภทศักดิ์ศรีค้ำสมอง เขาไม่ได้ปล่อยให้ศักดิ์ศรีมีค่าเหนือสามัญสำนึกทั่วไป เขาอดทนจนถึงจุดหนึ่ง แต่ไม่ใช่ว่าความอดทนของเขาจะไม่มีที่สิ้นสุด เขาเลือกสนามรบของเขาเอง เพราะเขาเป็นเพียงคนเดียวที่อยู่ท่ามกลางศัตรู
แม็กซ์ชอบวิธีที่อเล็กซิสเขียน ความยอมรับที่บารัคได้รับจากเหล่าแพลลาดินไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นเพียงชั่วข้ามคืน มันใช้เวลา และมันเป็นการเดินทางที่เจ็บปวดสำหรับเขา โดยเฉพาะเมื่อเขาตกหลุมรักน้องสาวของแพลลาดิน หญิงสาวที่ไม่กล้าจะเปิดเผยความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ให้คนอื่นรับรู้
นี่อาจเป็นนิยายเพียงเล่มเดียวก็ได้ ที่แม็กซ์รักพระเอกแม้จะไม่รู้จักเขาเลย คำว่า รู้จัก ในความหมายของแม็กซ์ก็คือ ประวัติความเป็นมา ความสามารถพิเศษของเขา เรื่องเหล่านั้น แม้กระทั่งจบเรื่องก็ยังคงเป็นปริศนา เรารู้ว่าบารัคมีความสามารถในการทำนายแผ่นดินไหว รู้ว่าเขาทำให้วัตถุประหลาดสีฟ้าเรืองแสงได้ แต่ไม่รู้ถึงความหมายของมัน เราพอเดาได้ว่า บารัคคงเป็นคนสำคัญในโลกอื่น แต่เราไม่แน่ใจว่า เขาเป็นใครกันแน่ เราพอรู้ว่ามีบางอย่างกดดันจนเขาต้องหนีมาตายเอาดาบหน้า แต่เราไม่รู้ว่ามันคืออะไร
ความไม่รู้เกี่ยวกับบารัคช่างมากมาย แต่นั่นไม่ได้ทำให้ความชอบในหนังสือเล่มนี้ของแม็กซ์ลดทอนลงเลย
เพราะอะไรน่ะเหรอ
นั่นเพราะบารัคในปัจจุบันเพียงพออยู่แล้ว โอเคล่ะ (พูดอังกฤษสำเนียงสิงคโปร์) มันคงจะดีถ้าแม็กซ์ได้รู้ภูมิหลังของเขาอย่างละเอียด แต่คนแต่งก็เก่งพอจะทำให้ภูมิหลังที่แม้จะลางเลือกเพียงพอที่จะทำให้แม็กซ์ เข้าใจตัวตนของบารัคในปัจจุบัน
แม็กซ์ชอบผู้ชายที่เขาเป็น และนั่นก็พอแล้ว
คะแนนที่ 83 ค่ะ
July 8, 2020
(Explícito). Me encantó. La atracción entre Barak y Lacey fue instantánea. Siento que los dos fueron muy directos respecto a lo que querían del otro, solo Lacey se demoró un poquito más, pero el resultado fue el mismo: pasión y mucho amor. Estoy llegando a pensar a que en cada libro habrá un secuestro. Aquí no se descubrió mucho sobre los traidores, solo uno más, pero aquí se están formando las bases para empezar una colaboración con los otros a través de la barrera y poder obtener más información (debido a que a los paladines de les acabaron las pistas y llegó el momento de expandir sus fuentes). Barak es muy tierno, cuando no es atemorizante, al fin consiguió algo de luz en su oscura alma; y eso que no quedó claro el porqué cruz, sobre la naturaleza de sus dones y cómo es la situación en su mundo, todavía no sabemos cómo se llama su raza. Penn llega a ser desesperante, aunque en realidad está algo amargado por su mano. ... narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas y de otros personajes. ...
August 6, 2017
The more I delve into this mysterious world, the more I want to know about each of the characters I meet. I am glad that previous leading men and women pop up from time to time. Perhaps as I keep going I will discover the answers I seek.
July 1, 2018
I am really enjoying this series, very interesting twist on the usual format of dark fantasy books as this one is about the enemy and it's quite unique to see their point of view, onto the next in the series which is about his sister.
December 16, 2018
This was a random choice in the second hand book section at my library and the cover is what caught my eye.
My first book by Alexis....and I'm all in.
Loved the cliff hanger w/Cullen and want to proceed to #4 but I'll go back to the beginning #1 & 2
w/Delvin & Blake's stories.
My first book by Alexis....and I'm all in.
Loved the cliff hanger w/Cullen and want to proceed to #4 but I'll go back to the beginning #1 & 2
w/Delvin & Blake's stories.
March 24, 2018
Love can be tricky😃😈
May 5, 2019
Me encantó Barak, aunque Lacey me gustó hubo momentos en que no... sin embargo el libro me gustó mucho.
Ahora a leer el siguiente.
Ahora a leer el siguiente.
January 26, 2020
Book 3 took us right back into a believable "falling-in-love" story. Enemies to lovers may be a trope, but I still love it. Barak is an amazing character, and I loved watching him fall for Lacey!
May 11, 2020
3.5. Moves the mystery along but we are no closer to
Finding out who is in charge.
Finding out who is in charge.
March 18, 2017
Great read.
January 15, 2011
In the third book of Paladins of Darkness we find the story of Barak, an Other. As one of the Paladins sworn enemies he should have been killed on sight when he crossed the barrier but as a result of having saved Dr. Young in book 1 (Devlin's lover) he has been allowed to stay on this side of the barrier.
When Devlin decides he no longer wants Barak working along side Laurel in the medical wing, he transfers him to the geology labs to work with Lacey Sebastian. The sister of a Paladin, she has grown up hating Others and what they represent for her warriors she cares for. She is working on a means of predicting when there will be an earthquake or a volcanoe will erupt in order to save Paladin lives. As she gets to know Barak she will have to decide between building a life with a man she is supposed to hate or whether her loyalties to the Paladins are superior to what she is starting to feel for Barak.
This book had so much potential but it didn't live up to it. Barak was a very interesting character; he's loyal, hardworking, sexy and just pure good. He is also very lonely. He has no one on this side, as all Paladins mistrust and hate him and he cannot return home. As an Other, the author had the chance to finally answer some of our questions on his side of the barrier, why they are so desperate to cross over, what their lives are like, how different or alike they are to humans, why Barack is different to the other Others... However, none of these subjects were breached, Lacey asks him and so do other Paladins but not once to we get a straight answer. Also, I didn't quite like Lacey's character, she was judgemental and unfair to Barak and I found I mostly didn't care about her.
I'm hoping the following book will be better and we will finally get some of the answers to so many of the questions that have been aroused since book 1.
When Devlin decides he no longer wants Barak working along side Laurel in the medical wing, he transfers him to the geology labs to work with Lacey Sebastian. The sister of a Paladin, she has grown up hating Others and what they represent for her warriors she cares for. She is working on a means of predicting when there will be an earthquake or a volcanoe will erupt in order to save Paladin lives. As she gets to know Barak she will have to decide between building a life with a man she is supposed to hate or whether her loyalties to the Paladins are superior to what she is starting to feel for Barak.
This book had so much potential but it didn't live up to it. Barak was a very interesting character; he's loyal, hardworking, sexy and just pure good. He is also very lonely. He has no one on this side, as all Paladins mistrust and hate him and he cannot return home. As an Other, the author had the chance to finally answer some of our questions on his side of the barrier, why they are so desperate to cross over, what their lives are like, how different or alike they are to humans, why Barack is different to the other Others... However, none of these subjects were breached, Lacey asks him and so do other Paladins but not once to we get a straight answer. Also, I didn't quite like Lacey's character, she was judgemental and unfair to Barak and I found I mostly didn't care about her.
I'm hoping the following book will be better and we will finally get some of the answers to so many of the questions that have been aroused since book 1.
October 18, 2011
4-1/2 stars- I'm loving this Paladins series! I can't believe I never found these sooner. I've devoured the first three in the last week. I thought I would take a break after this one but the ending left me hanging...how dare Ms. Morgan do that? LOL. All I can say is- I'm glad that I don't have to wait for book 4 to be published. I guess that's one plus to not having found the series sooner- not having to wait between books.
I just love Barak and was so thrilled that his story was book 3 in the series. His utter lonliness and stoicism tugged at my heartstrings and made him a wonderful hero for our heroine, Lacey. They have such odds stacked against them it makes their romance all the more emotional. Of course, the book isn't all soft, mushy feelings; there's tons of testosterone flying around. How could there not be with Paladins in the picture?
As with the last book, I wish that the overall story arc had progressed further. I'm not sure if Morgan is trying to stretch it out or what, but things feel like they are moving rather slowly. The first book had a lot of the corruption story in it and the last two only moved that storyline forward a bit, focusing more on the romance aspect. Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy and want the romance, but I'm also interested in the "big picture" storyline and want to see it progress more.
One downside to reading these books all in the row is I can definitely see a formula emerging. I won't ruin anything by giving details but let's just say the "damsel in distress/hero risks life to save her" maneuver is beginning to wear thin. Hopefully she won't use it again in book 4. (Though if she does, I'll probably still enjoy the book, I just hope she breaks with tradition.) That said, I am definitely a fan and plan on starting book 4 as soon as I can download it to my Kindle.
I just love Barak and was so thrilled that his story was book 3 in the series. His utter lonliness and stoicism tugged at my heartstrings and made him a wonderful hero for our heroine, Lacey. They have such odds stacked against them it makes their romance all the more emotional. Of course, the book isn't all soft, mushy feelings; there's tons of testosterone flying around. How could there not be with Paladins in the picture?
As with the last book, I wish that the overall story arc had progressed further. I'm not sure if Morgan is trying to stretch it out or what, but things feel like they are moving rather slowly. The first book had a lot of the corruption story in it and the last two only moved that storyline forward a bit, focusing more on the romance aspect. Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy and want the romance, but I'm also interested in the "big picture" storyline and want to see it progress more.
One downside to reading these books all in the row is I can definitely see a formula emerging. I won't ruin anything by giving details but let's just say the "damsel in distress/hero risks life to save her" maneuver is beginning to wear thin. Hopefully she won't use it again in book 4. (Though if she does, I'll probably still enjoy the book, I just hope she breaks with tradition.) That said, I am definitely a fan and plan on starting book 4 as soon as I can download it to my Kindle.
September 9, 2011
Morgan's paladin books are really quick reads, usually less than a day, and pretty straight up romance, with a fantasy twist (an essential component for me). I keep reading in large part because I actually want to know how the whole overall story will be resolved. I never even though romance novels really had stories...
While I was never a fan of romance, I'm finding I like it, if I'm in the right mood. However, it really is all about the mood, because while it is sound and engaging, there is nothing particularly mind blowing about the plot or writing.
As I read further into the series, the romance starts to feel a little forced, it's amazing how many pairs of people can be so immediately and irresistibly attracted to each other (that's sarcasm folks). But hey, I get it, it's really all about the sex, so let's get to that as soon as possible. Still, it would be nice if the passion of the relationship was based on something a little more substantial. I've read many books that build great relationships, but avoid sex like the plague, and now I've read books that have plenty of sex, but are little light on the relationship building.
This is why I like this one a little more than the other books in the series that I've read so far, there is actually some conflict and build up before it gets down and dirty. I take them for what they are though, and they do their thing pretty well.
While I was never a fan of romance, I'm finding I like it, if I'm in the right mood. However, it really is all about the mood, because while it is sound and engaging, there is nothing particularly mind blowing about the plot or writing.
As I read further into the series, the romance starts to feel a little forced, it's amazing how many pairs of people can be so immediately and irresistibly attracted to each other (that's sarcasm folks). But hey, I get it, it's really all about the sex, so let's get to that as soon as possible. Still, it would be nice if the passion of the relationship was based on something a little more substantial. I've read many books that build great relationships, but avoid sex like the plague, and now I've read books that have plenty of sex, but are little light on the relationship building.
This is why I like this one a little more than the other books in the series that I've read so far, there is actually some conflict and build up before it gets down and dirty. I take them for what they are though, and they do their thing pretty well.
January 14, 2011
Another great book in this terrific series. I really enjoyed it. Although book 2 was better. Still I liked this one a lot. I guess I just prefer the alpha heroes and this one was definitely not one of them.
In this book we get to read about one of the others, which was amazing. I had been dying to read more about them since the beginning of the series, it just makes no sense that they kill them just because, it's so clear that there's so much more behind all that is happening and I loved to get to know a bit more about it. My problem was that I still want to know so much more... but that's what's good about series,LOL, we are able to read more as long as there are more books in it.I Can't wait to read the next because I'm pretty sure I'll learn way more than I have till now.
This is a great series and I do recommend it. It is not as good as others which have a place in my favs shelf but definitely one of the best once you have read all the others. I think if it gets a bit better I can get to love it much more but I still need more from this series because I know it can give it to me.
In this book we get to read about one of the others, which was amazing. I had been dying to read more about them since the beginning of the series, it just makes no sense that they kill them just because, it's so clear that there's so much more behind all that is happening and I loved to get to know a bit more about it. My problem was that I still want to know so much more... but that's what's good about series,LOL, we are able to read more as long as there are more books in it.I Can't wait to read the next because I'm pretty sure I'll learn way more than I have till now.
This is a great series and I do recommend it. It is not as good as others which have a place in my favs shelf but definitely one of the best once you have read all the others. I think if it gets a bit better I can get to love it much more but I still need more from this series because I know it can give it to me.
January 24, 2016
Once a warrior for the Others, Barak q'Young is caught between two worlds 14exiled from his homeland, and a pariah among his enemies, the Paladins. While hunting a betrayer who's selling the precious blue gems that light the Others' world, Barak must aid geologist Lacey Sebastian in her research for the Paladins. Barak is instantly drawn to the fiery, beautiful woman, but Lacey initially despises the enemy intruder. Soon she sees beyond his violent past, though, finding the dark warrior intriguing 14and extremely sexy.[br/]Though neither can resist the passion that blazes between them, Barak is torn between loyalties, hiding a secret gift that could prove useful to Lacey's research, at the sacrifice of his own people. But when Lacey is kidnapped and held hostage, Barak realizes that he will do anything to save her . . . even risk his own life. [br/][br/]Alexis Morgan continues her red-hot paranormal series with a mysterious warrior and his forbidden love for a woman whose allegiance lies with his sworn enemy . . . . Another excellent series.. This is book 3 in her "Paladins of Darkness" Series..[br/][br/]
March 21, 2015
Oh my gosh this story was fantastic! I obviously need to read it again, maybe I'll try audiobook. Anyway, this is the first book that introduces the "Others" as people. No longer an undeveloped villian. This was a hard transition for me. I feel like Lacey. It's so hard to let go of your preconceived notions made worse by falling for the guy.
Barak d'Young is an honorable man, but now his ostracized by his people. And in a strange land where he is unwelcomed by people who view him as the enemy. His love affair with Lacey tracks the path of all the Paladins shaking off ideas of what they once knew to be true.
The passion between Lacey and Barak is intense. Lacey wants to heal everyone but she also needs to keep the respect of the people she works with. An affair would undermine their trust in her, but at the same time people need to embrace change and challenge themselves.
This story was such a win for me.
Barak d'Young is an honorable man, but now his ostracized by his people. And in a strange land where he is unwelcomed by people who view him as the enemy. His love affair with Lacey tracks the path of all the Paladins shaking off ideas of what they once knew to be true.
The passion between Lacey and Barak is intense. Lacey wants to heal everyone but she also needs to keep the respect of the people she works with. An affair would undermine their trust in her, but at the same time people need to embrace change and challenge themselves.
This story was such a win for me.
June 27, 2015
In Darkness Reborn
3 Stars
Disappointing.
Barak's character had real potential in the first two books but it never comes to fruition. He is desperately lonely and appears to settle for Lacey as she is the only one available. Consequently, their romance lacks the heat and passion that characterized the couples in books 1 and 2.
Moreover, Lacey's prejudices make it difficult to like her and other than sex there is nothing to explain her sudden love for Barak.
Once again, information on the Other world is scarce. Even though the main character is an Other, we learn very little about his people, his gifts and his reasons for crossing the barrier.
The next book is set up nicely and perhaps we will get more insight into the Others now that Cullen is crossing over into their world.
3 Stars
Disappointing.
Barak's character had real potential in the first two books but it never comes to fruition. He is desperately lonely and appears to settle for Lacey as she is the only one available. Consequently, their romance lacks the heat and passion that characterized the couples in books 1 and 2.
Moreover, Lacey's prejudices make it difficult to like her and other than sex there is nothing to explain her sudden love for Barak.
Once again, information on the Other world is scarce. Even though the main character is an Other, we learn very little about his people, his gifts and his reasons for crossing the barrier.
The next book is set up nicely and perhaps we will get more insight into the Others now that Cullen is crossing over into their world.
January 22, 2017
Barak is an Other. But he saved Laurels’ life, so the Paladins are forced to tolerate him. He needs something to do to feel useful so Laurel puts him work helping her in medical.
When that doesn’t work out, they find out he has some experience in geology, he sent to the geology department to help Lacey with her earthquake experiments. Unfortunately Lacey’s brother is a Paladin: Penn, the one who hurt his arm real bad.
I like the way the paladins and their women are all they for each other, checking up to make sure everyone’s okay.
Barak has some fascinating abilities that are very appropriate. I’m really curious to find out more about his home and people.
Fave scenes: hiking down Mount St. Helens, Barak training Penn, the impromptu pizza party and Lacey & they guys outside the tunnel.
When that doesn’t work out, they find out he has some experience in geology, he sent to the geology department to help Lacey with her earthquake experiments. Unfortunately Lacey’s brother is a Paladin: Penn, the one who hurt his arm real bad.
I like the way the paladins and their women are all they for each other, checking up to make sure everyone’s okay.
Barak has some fascinating abilities that are very appropriate. I’m really curious to find out more about his home and people.
Fave scenes: hiking down Mount St. Helens, Barak training Penn, the impromptu pizza party and Lacey & they guys outside the tunnel.
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