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The Guardians #2
Demon Moon
Deadly creatures from the realm of Chaos herald the return of an imprisoned nosferatu horde, and the bond between a vampire and his lover is their only protection-and their only passion.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2007
39 people are currently reading
1594 people want to read
About the author
Meljean Brook
51 books2,575 followersBook 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 installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
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 installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
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September 25, 2010
Although there were some good ideas, the writing style was too hard to understand.
The first three chapters were great. They were about Savi, (a human woman) and a nosferatu (a vampire like creature) on an airplane. There were also a few other interesting thoughts during the book. The ending of the book was creative and satisfying concerning two events: (1) how a demon (the main villain) was killed and (2) what happened with the relationship between Colin and Savi. The plot during the rest of the book was uninteresting, drawn out and tedius. There were a variety of bad guys, wyrmwolves, nosferatu and a demon. The threats from wyrmwolves and nosferatu were never resolved, possibly to be continued in the next book. At times I wanted the book to be over. My major problem was with the author’s writing style being hard to understand. Below are some examples.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
Several times I found myself rereading pages or paragraphs to understand what just happened. Maybe my brain isn’t wired the same as other readers who liked this style. It was frustrating for me. Following are two examples for readers to judge for themselves.
Page 275: Colin (a vampire) is going to punish Denver and two other vampires who attempted to murder a human. “Colin tilted his head and sank his fangs into the boy’s neck. Blood, thick and young and heady. He forced away the pleasure of it. And called up Chaos. The gentle murmur of voices alerted Colin to Castleford’s arrival. Sitting on his heels, his elbows braced against his knees, Colin lifted his head and watched blearily as Lilith wrapped her arms around the other man’s neck.” (Several more sentences continue about Lilith, Castleford and Colin. The next sentence includes Colin’s thoughts.) “What a bloody ridiculous mistake channeling memories of Chaos had been, though he couldn’t completely blame his headache on that realm. If he ever again had to punish a trio of idiots, he’d remember to seal their mouths shut first. Denver had screamed shrilly into his ear, as had the third boy. But they’d learned their lesson well.”
After the sentence “And called up Chaos,” I was confused as to what Colin did to the three. I would have preferred that the author move the sentences up to that place saying that Colin channeled the memory of Chaos to the three and they screamed at the visions they experienced. Then, the author would continue with Lilith’s and Castleford’s actions. Being out of sequence frustrated me.
Page 466: Savi walks into the bathroom, stares at the mirror. “Silent screams ripped through the small room. She didn’t see herself transform. Savi prepared the breakfast out of habit, rather than hunger. Orange juice. A frozen blueberry waffle.” The next several paragraphs have Colin and Savi discussing breakfast and then she takes him to the bathroom to look in the mirror. At that point she tells him she had previously seen Chaos in the mirror.
The author initially left me wondering who was screaming and if it was Savi, why. I had to wait for more than a page until I read that it was Chaos she saw. The author never did explain what Savi transformed into or out of.
MINOR ANNOYANCE WITH ABBREVIATIONS.
Many chapters began with a paragraph which was an excerpt from a letter written by Colin or Savi to someone. Several times the author used an initial P or B rather than a name which was never explained. For example, page 393. “She was certain that B----- had written that blasted story, rather than P-----. I convinced her that she ought to conform to Continental fashion and take a companion.” By the end of the book, I still didn’t understand who B and P were.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: ten. Setting: About 2008 San Francisco. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.
SERIES:
The first four books in this series are:
3 stars to FALLING FOR ANTHONY, in Hot Spell anthology
1 star to DEMON ANGEL
(not read) PARADISE, in Wild Think anthology
2 stars to DEMON MOON
The first three chapters were great. They were about Savi, (a human woman) and a nosferatu (a vampire like creature) on an airplane. There were also a few other interesting thoughts during the book. The ending of the book was creative and satisfying concerning two events: (1) how a demon (the main villain) was killed and (2) what happened with the relationship between Colin and Savi. The plot during the rest of the book was uninteresting, drawn out and tedius. There were a variety of bad guys, wyrmwolves, nosferatu and a demon. The threats from wyrmwolves and nosferatu were never resolved, possibly to be continued in the next book. At times I wanted the book to be over. My major problem was with the author’s writing style being hard to understand. Below are some examples.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
Several times I found myself rereading pages or paragraphs to understand what just happened. Maybe my brain isn’t wired the same as other readers who liked this style. It was frustrating for me. Following are two examples for readers to judge for themselves.
Page 275: Colin (a vampire) is going to punish Denver and two other vampires who attempted to murder a human. “Colin tilted his head and sank his fangs into the boy’s neck. Blood, thick and young and heady. He forced away the pleasure of it. And called up Chaos. The gentle murmur of voices alerted Colin to Castleford’s arrival. Sitting on his heels, his elbows braced against his knees, Colin lifted his head and watched blearily as Lilith wrapped her arms around the other man’s neck.” (Several more sentences continue about Lilith, Castleford and Colin. The next sentence includes Colin’s thoughts.) “What a bloody ridiculous mistake channeling memories of Chaos had been, though he couldn’t completely blame his headache on that realm. If he ever again had to punish a trio of idiots, he’d remember to seal their mouths shut first. Denver had screamed shrilly into his ear, as had the third boy. But they’d learned their lesson well.”
After the sentence “And called up Chaos,” I was confused as to what Colin did to the three. I would have preferred that the author move the sentences up to that place saying that Colin channeled the memory of Chaos to the three and they screamed at the visions they experienced. Then, the author would continue with Lilith’s and Castleford’s actions. Being out of sequence frustrated me.
Page 466: Savi walks into the bathroom, stares at the mirror. “Silent screams ripped through the small room. She didn’t see herself transform. Savi prepared the breakfast out of habit, rather than hunger. Orange juice. A frozen blueberry waffle.” The next several paragraphs have Colin and Savi discussing breakfast and then she takes him to the bathroom to look in the mirror. At that point she tells him she had previously seen Chaos in the mirror.
The author initially left me wondering who was screaming and if it was Savi, why. I had to wait for more than a page until I read that it was Chaos she saw. The author never did explain what Savi transformed into or out of.
MINOR ANNOYANCE WITH ABBREVIATIONS.
Many chapters began with a paragraph which was an excerpt from a letter written by Colin or Savi to someone. Several times the author used an initial P or B rather than a name which was never explained. For example, page 393. “She was certain that B----- had written that blasted story, rather than P-----. I convinced her that she ought to conform to Continental fashion and take a companion.” By the end of the book, I still didn’t understand who B and P were.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: ten. Setting: About 2008 San Francisco. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.
SERIES:
The first four books in this series are:
3 stars to FALLING FOR ANTHONY, in Hot Spell anthology
1 star to DEMON ANGEL
(not read) PARADISE, in Wild Think anthology
2 stars to DEMON MOON
May 15, 2009
When an author has the ability to make a reader lose herself in a story and to create characters who are so overwhelming that every word or action has a double meaning, you know you have a winner. And if the reader wants to go back and re-read the story a second time because the characters came alive and the words on the page were lyrical and beautifully written, well, that reader has been lucky enough to have read a masterpiece.
Demon Moon, Meljean Brook's second full-length book, overwhelmed me with its brilliance, but also perplexed me with its complexity. Certain scenes and conversations were confusing enough that I re-read the start of most chapters to make sure I got it. This is not a lighthearted romance; instead there is gore, very over-the-top eroticism, and monsters like those you were told of as children who could be hiding in your closet. And I loved every minute of it.
Colin Ames Beaumont was introduced in Demon Angel and also appeared in the short story Falling for Anthony. He is a 200-year-old vampire who makes no excuses for the life he now leads. He loves blood, the sex that comes with it (he even stated he has slept with over 20,000 woman in his long life), and the booty he has attained over the centuries. I found Colin entirely swoonable because not only was he gorgeous, his personality wasn't glossed over. Even better, although he was turned very violently and is virtually alone, he doesn't brood or whine like too many other vampire heroes we have read about before.
The one thing in life he wants and can't have is Savitri, a character also introduced in Demon Angel. She is in no way the sort of romance novel heroine you typically encounter. Savitri is of Indian background and was raised by her beloved grandmother after the murder of her parents and brother years earlier. She speaks many different languages, is a professional hacker, and is surrounded by angels and demons, whom she calls her friends. But her life is in constant danger since she helps the Guardians of Heaven keep Hell closed and the world of Chaos from opening up and allowing those creatures from trying to take over Earth.
At almost 500 pages, this book has so much action and constant sexual turmoil going on that it will make your head spin. Colin and Savitri are at odds most of the time, and simultaneously in such constant lust that Savirti may want Colin to change her to what he is. Intriguingly, Colin's blood is tainted so that if anyone drinks from him, they will die. As if that weren't enough, he is the direct link to knowing what is happening in Chaos and helps to keep it under control. And yet he takes it all in stride.
The story is filled with angels and demons and gore, and love scenes so intense they are painful (Colin has a way with his hands which Savirti doesn't mind at all!). Because I've read both Demon Angel and Falling for Anthony, I can't say so for sure, but my guess is that you probably can't read Demon Moon without having first read what came before. That accounts for the minus attached to my A grade. Meljean Brook's series should not be missed.
Demon Moon, Meljean Brook's second full-length book, overwhelmed me with its brilliance, but also perplexed me with its complexity. Certain scenes and conversations were confusing enough that I re-read the start of most chapters to make sure I got it. This is not a lighthearted romance; instead there is gore, very over-the-top eroticism, and monsters like those you were told of as children who could be hiding in your closet. And I loved every minute of it.
Colin Ames Beaumont was introduced in Demon Angel and also appeared in the short story Falling for Anthony. He is a 200-year-old vampire who makes no excuses for the life he now leads. He loves blood, the sex that comes with it (he even stated he has slept with over 20,000 woman in his long life), and the booty he has attained over the centuries. I found Colin entirely swoonable because not only was he gorgeous, his personality wasn't glossed over. Even better, although he was turned very violently and is virtually alone, he doesn't brood or whine like too many other vampire heroes we have read about before.
The one thing in life he wants and can't have is Savitri, a character also introduced in Demon Angel. She is in no way the sort of romance novel heroine you typically encounter. Savitri is of Indian background and was raised by her beloved grandmother after the murder of her parents and brother years earlier. She speaks many different languages, is a professional hacker, and is surrounded by angels and demons, whom she calls her friends. But her life is in constant danger since she helps the Guardians of Heaven keep Hell closed and the world of Chaos from opening up and allowing those creatures from trying to take over Earth.
At almost 500 pages, this book has so much action and constant sexual turmoil going on that it will make your head spin. Colin and Savitri are at odds most of the time, and simultaneously in such constant lust that Savirti may want Colin to change her to what he is. Intriguingly, Colin's blood is tainted so that if anyone drinks from him, they will die. As if that weren't enough, he is the direct link to knowing what is happening in Chaos and helps to keep it under control. And yet he takes it all in stride.
The story is filled with angels and demons and gore, and love scenes so intense they are painful (Colin has a way with his hands which Savirti doesn't mind at all!). Because I've read both Demon Angel and Falling for Anthony, I can't say so for sure, but my guess is that you probably can't read Demon Moon without having first read what came before. That accounts for the minus attached to my A grade. Meljean Brook's series should not be missed.
October 21, 2009
What can I say? I have a total fan-girl crush on Meljean Brook. She can do no wrong and I will love any book she writes with a fiery passion.
I loved this book, much like I loved Demon Angel & Demon Night. She took a pompous and vain male lead, Colin, and managed to make him warm, witty, self-deprecating but still vain and a tad shallow. He made me laugh.
Savi, I also loved. I completely identified with her. Her curiosity, her forgivness, everything.
Again, I devoured rather then savoured this book so I am going to go back and read the whole series again. Bliss.
I loved this book, much like I loved Demon Angel & Demon Night. She took a pompous and vain male lead, Colin, and managed to make him warm, witty, self-deprecating but still vain and a tad shallow. He made me laugh.
Savi, I also loved. I completely identified with her. Her curiosity, her forgivness, everything.
Again, I devoured rather then savoured this book so I am going to go back and read the whole series again. Bliss.
April 17, 2017
I hadn't expected to like Demon Moon as much as I did. The hero, Colin, was selfish or at least appeared to be and part of him definitely is self-absorbed, in the beginning often bordering the asshole-area. But his and Savi's relationship was superb, often heartbreakingly so, which made them my favorite couple of the series (I read the first 7 novels already and anxiously await the final installment!) and their book one of my absolute favorites in the series and genre.
Demon Moon was not flawless, but Brook is a very talented and insightful writer. She creates characters that have a far more interesting history and personality than I'm used to from PNR novels. Her worldbuilding is intriguing. Not too complex in this throwing every supernatural being there is in-way, but using old folklore, mythology and her own ideas, which is exactly what I love about fantasy!
Take Colin. He is 200 years old, has some serious issues and made mistakes I sometimes couldn't come up with good excuses for, but although I am not a forgiving person in the least, I didn't mind his imperfections, because Brook gave the reader explanations for his behaviour and let him show that he can be very considerate, too. He cares for his family and is deeply loyal to Lilith. He is no selfrightous bastard and Savi is what made him so special.
He truly, deeply fell for her. And she for him. Their relationship was, especially in the end, lovely. He later, in another book, says something that probably makes me love them both even more, proving yet again that what they have is something very special.
The conflict, basically is that Savi is human and he is a vampire. The problem isn't that she doesn't want to be turned - She chose to very soon after she learned about the supernatural world, because she's a very curious person and wants to live to see what happens with our world. This decision isn't bases on romantic feelings, but her personality. But the book starts with her swallowing some sort of poison that makes it impossible or at least very unlikely for her to be transformed.
Vampires have to feed from other vampires and often enough they sleep with the ones they feed from. It's nothing they can do anything about, as soon as their partner is aroused, they sleep with them. And since a human alone can't feed a vampire, Colin would have to go to others.
And then, even if she were a Vampire she couldn't feed from him because his blood is special, so even if he could be faithful she would need to go to other people.
That ain't a type of relationship I'd want to have and Colin and Savi notice very soon that it wouldn't work out for them either. But things become even more complicated as the story unfolds.
I often say that authors don't show the love - if at all, only lust. And that I usually don't get why the couples want one another. Brook created emotions in the novel and made the reader – or at least me – feel them and she did this so easily that I can't really recall when their relationship changed the way it did. I know that it did and I know that I loved every second of it.
The story was, despite my romance-romance-romance-talk full of plot and depth, yet another thing I love about Meljean Brook. (Did I mention that I have a serious author crush on her?) Before I talk more about this: We also are told what happened with Anthony and Colin's sister (from the Antholoy 'Falling for Anthony') in Demon Moon and although I didn't enjoy their story that much (it was well written, more so than most novellas, but I didn't feel the connection) reading what happened to them was very sweet.
I mention this because Colin and Savi repeat something.. Let me just show you. Colin tells Savi about his sister and Anthony and how they "died":
That was it. If you read Falling for Anthony you might recall that Anthony and Colin both cut themselves with Michael's dagger, which left some sort of mark on them (and Colin's sister, who cut herself, too). In Demon Moon we're finally told what sort of consequences their actions from back then had. For Anthony and Emily (the sister) it was that they lived very long. Until she said she was a bit tired and he said what he said. The next morning they were dead. (I'll quote the awww-scene later!) Colin on the other side is the only vampire who can walk in the sun. But he also can't see himself in mirrors, something that's unique about him and makes him one-of-a-kind.
In the first full novel Colin's also in Hell with the other teleporting Guardian before she leaves him. When she does something happens and that left yet another mark, this time only in his mind, that he and Savi both have to deal with, since she's one of the only ones who know what he saw down there/who were affected by his Hell-afterflow when both of them were in Caelum together.
And because she knows the nightmares of Chaos (the hell he was in) they bond even more. Him being the most beautiful - even frightenly beautiful! - person in the world does help, too.. *sad sigh* Why is there no real Colin?
I've said that Hugh and Litlith were unique. And heck, yes, they are. But Colin and Savi are.. lovelier. I don't know why. Maybe because of this quote, in the end, when it seems as if there is no way for them to be together and they don't want to be alone,
(Yes, I almost cried like a baby there.)
Or the way this egotistical bastard changes, but at the same time doesn't really change. It's hilariously epic and I'm so in love with this series, it's pathetic.
Savi lived together with Hugh, as a sort of child-sister-friend for the most part of her life, after her family was killed and she the only survivor of the attack.
This, and Colin and Lilith's friendship, made the novel even better, because all of them know eachother. There is so much more meaning to scenes when you know that these characters have a history. An example:
Colin has to do something for Michael, the doyen/leader of the Guardians, that includes facing Chaos. Afterwards he's always very apathetic or well, he's just miserable, because Chaos really is torture. Savi has a mini-solution that includes her kissing him so they have a bond when he's at home and sleeps. Otherwise he'd have Chaos-nightmares. But it also means that she opens herself completely - To everyone who's able to sense emotions, so every Guardian, vampire and demon around.
See? I just can't stop.. Argh! It was so cute, but Meljean didn't make it too cheesy. Instead she had Lilith and Hugh waiting for Savi and the reader to laugh at us.
So, mix good writing-style, fast pacing, plot, complex characters and random other things - for example Lilith finally convincing Colin to kiss Hugh (aaah!) and you'll get Demon Moon, which despite the flaws I can't remember (but there have been some, I'm almost certain) is definitely one of my all-time-favorites and very reread worthy!
Demon Moon was not flawless, but Brook is a very talented and insightful writer. She creates characters that have a far more interesting history and personality than I'm used to from PNR novels. Her worldbuilding is intriguing. Not too complex in this throwing every supernatural being there is in-way, but using old folklore, mythology and her own ideas, which is exactly what I love about fantasy!
Take Colin. He is 200 years old, has some serious issues and made mistakes I sometimes couldn't come up with good excuses for, but although I am not a forgiving person in the least, I didn't mind his imperfections, because Brook gave the reader explanations for his behaviour and let him show that he can be very considerate, too. He cares for his family and is deeply loyal to Lilith. He is no selfrightous bastard and Savi is what made him so special.
He truly, deeply fell for her. And she for him. Their relationship was, especially in the end, lovely. He later, in another book, says something that probably makes me love them both even more, proving yet again that what they have is something very special.
“I have no regrets,” Ames-Beaumont said hoarsely, his gaze on Savi. “I loved you well, my sweet Savitri. Even in death, I will love you.”- Demon Forged, Chapter 18
The conflict, basically is that Savi is human and he is a vampire. The problem isn't that she doesn't want to be turned - She chose to very soon after she learned about the supernatural world, because she's a very curious person and wants to live to see what happens with our world. This decision isn't bases on romantic feelings, but her personality. But the book starts with her swallowing some sort of poison that makes it impossible or at least very unlikely for her to be transformed.
Vampires have to feed from other vampires and often enough they sleep with the ones they feed from. It's nothing they can do anything about, as soon as their partner is aroused, they sleep with them. And since a human alone can't feed a vampire, Colin would have to go to others.
And then, even if she were a Vampire she couldn't feed from him because his blood is special, so even if he could be faithful she would need to go to other people.
That ain't a type of relationship I'd want to have and Colin and Savi notice very soon that it wouldn't work out for them either. But things become even more complicated as the story unfolds.
I often say that authors don't show the love - if at all, only lust. And that I usually don't get why the couples want one another. Brook created emotions in the novel and made the reader – or at least me – feel them and she did this so easily that I can't really recall when their relationship changed the way it did. I know that it did and I know that I loved every second of it.
The story was, despite my romance-romance-romance-talk full of plot and depth, yet another thing I love about Meljean Brook. (Did I mention that I have a serious author crush on her?) Before I talk more about this: We also are told what happened with Anthony and Colin's sister (from the Antholoy 'Falling for Anthony') in Demon Moon and although I didn't enjoy their story that much (it was well written, more so than most novellas, but I didn't feel the connection) reading what happened to them was very sweet.
I mention this because Colin and Savi repeat something.. Let me just show you. Colin tells Savi about his sister and Anthony and how they "died":
He expelled a long breath, smiled slightly as if in memory. “I heard them in their room. She said she was a bit tired, and he said that perhaps it was time to see what came next.”
That was it. If you read Falling for Anthony you might recall that Anthony and Colin both cut themselves with Michael's dagger, which left some sort of mark on them (and Colin's sister, who cut herself, too). In Demon Moon we're finally told what sort of consequences their actions from back then had. For Anthony and Emily (the sister) it was that they lived very long. Until she said she was a bit tired and he said what he said. The next morning they were dead. (I'll quote the awww-scene later!) Colin on the other side is the only vampire who can walk in the sun. But he also can't see himself in mirrors, something that's unique about him and makes him one-of-a-kind.
In the first full novel Colin's also in Hell with the other teleporting Guardian before she leaves him. When she does something happens and that left yet another mark, this time only in his mind, that he and Savi both have to deal with, since she's one of the only ones who know what he saw down there/who were affected by his Hell-afterflow when both of them were in Caelum together.
And because she knows the nightmares of Chaos (the hell he was in) they bond even more. Him being the most beautiful - even frightenly beautiful! - person in the world does help, too.. *sad sigh* Why is there no real Colin?
I've said that Hugh and Litlith were unique. And heck, yes, they are. But Colin and Savi are.. lovelier. I don't know why. Maybe because of this quote, in the end, when it seems as if there is no way for them to be together and they don't want to be alone,
“Savitri,” Colin said softly, and she turned to him. “Perhaps we should see what comes next.”
(Yes, I almost cried like a baby there.)
Or the way this egotistical bastard changes, but at the same time doesn't really change. It's hilariously epic and I'm so in love with this series, it's pathetic.
Savi lived together with Hugh, as a sort of child-sister-friend for the most part of her life, after her family was killed and she the only survivor of the attack.
This, and Colin and Lilith's friendship, made the novel even better, because all of them know eachother. There is so much more meaning to scenes when you know that these characters have a history. An example:
Colin has to do something for Michael, the doyen/leader of the Guardians, that includes facing Chaos. Afterwards he's always very apathetic or well, he's just miserable, because Chaos really is torture. Savi has a mini-solution that includes her kissing him so they have a bond when he's at home and sleeps. Otherwise he'd have Chaos-nightmares. But it also means that she opens herself completely - To everyone who's able to sense emotions, so every Guardian, vampire and demon around.
His eyes widened, and he raised his hands to her face. His fingers trembled as he smoothed his thumbs along her eyebrows, then lowered his hands to cup her jaw. "I think so. Yes. God, if there is any mercy in the world for the cursed, then it will be yes."
She had to rise up on her toes to meet his lips; he dropped one arm to her waist and lifted her against him. Exhausted, but strong enough to hold her. (..)
He broke the kiss gently. Then, wathing her with an expression fo surprise, as if she'd done something beyond his understanding, he set her feet on the floor.
But she couldn't stop falling.
"Michael," Lilith said, and her voice was strained, as if she was trying not to burst into laughter, "I think it's best that you take him now." (..)
Never tearing his astonished gaze from Savi's, Colin nodded his agreement.
He disappeared a moment later. Savi stared at her reflection in the dark glass, then saw Hugh in the background, his face buried in his hands. His shoulders were shaking. Lilith wasn't holding hers in anymore. Even Sir Pup was grinning.
Her cheeks burned, but she forced herself to turn and look at them.
Lilith flashed her teeth in a wicked grin. "I never thought I'd see the day when Colin [..]"
"Or kissing a woman as if his life depended on it." Hugh finally lifted his head, and wiped his eyes.
See? I just can't stop.. Argh! It was so cute, but Meljean didn't make it too cheesy. Instead she had Lilith and Hugh waiting for Savi and the reader to laugh at us.
So, mix good writing-style, fast pacing, plot, complex characters and random other things - for example Lilith finally convincing Colin to kiss Hugh (aaah!) and you'll get Demon Moon, which despite the flaws I can't remember (but there have been some, I'm almost certain) is definitely one of my all-time-favorites and very reread worthy!
September 26, 2022
2.5 stars.
I will never understand the allure of a vampire’s bloodlust. Drinking blood as a sexual experience is so… this is why I don’t like vampires, lol. Blame it on my vegetarianism. Read via library.
I will never understand the allure of a vampire’s bloodlust. Drinking blood as a sexual experience is so… this is why I don’t like vampires, lol. Blame it on my vegetarianism. Read via library.
October 8, 2009
This book is about a romance between a gorgious vampire, his ego, and the awesomest heroine in history - an Indian (East Indian) computer geek from Berkeley.
Colin, the vampire, is slutty and vain and funny, but also completely self-aware and self-possessed and self-confident. Which is good, because he can't look into a mirror without seeing the Chaos realm (not normal for a vampire), and almost everyone he comes into contact with thinks he's a figment of their imagination or a dream. There's very little for his self-concept to latch onto.
Savitri, the heroine, is outstandingly smart and funny. She has no problem accepting the paranormal becase Hugh (hero of the last book) is her adopted brother. She's also completely disconnected from her body, and to some extent, from her emotions due to a childhood trauma. Her parents are dead, and she was raised (with Hugh) by her very traditional Hindu grandmother.
Over the course of this book, Savitri agrees to let her grandmother help her arrange a marriage with a suitable boy, and Colin figures out that he's in love with someone other than himself. Even though the characters are not always sympathetic, they are always awesome, and it's wonderful to see them fall in love with each other, bewildered and struggling against it every step of the way. I loved that Savi's culture played such a big role in the book, and that the author showed it in a such a respectful way. Living in the Bay Area, all the references to Berkeley and the Indian culture there rang true, and really helped with the sense of place. I loved this book.
Colin, the vampire, is slutty and vain and funny, but also completely self-aware and self-possessed and self-confident. Which is good, because he can't look into a mirror without seeing the Chaos realm (not normal for a vampire), and almost everyone he comes into contact with thinks he's a figment of their imagination or a dream. There's very little for his self-concept to latch onto.
Savitri, the heroine, is outstandingly smart and funny. She has no problem accepting the paranormal becase Hugh (hero of the last book) is her adopted brother. She's also completely disconnected from her body, and to some extent, from her emotions due to a childhood trauma. Her parents are dead, and she was raised (with Hugh) by her very traditional Hindu grandmother.
Over the course of this book, Savitri agrees to let her grandmother help her arrange a marriage with a suitable boy, and Colin figures out that he's in love with someone other than himself. Even though the characters are not always sympathetic, they are always awesome, and it's wonderful to see them fall in love with each other, bewildered and struggling against it every step of the way. I loved that Savi's culture played such a big role in the book, and that the author showed it in a such a respectful way. Living in the Bay Area, all the references to Berkeley and the Indian culture there rang true, and really helped with the sense of place. I loved this book.
December 19, 2014
Loved the basic plot, the main characters, the idea behind the world Brook has built, the relationship between Savi and Colin, and Colin himself. Did I mention Colin?
Hated the writing, the dialogues (discussions that stop abruptly and explanations that make no sense except to yogi masters), the interminable details and the execution of the worldbuilding Brook had in mind: too complicated by half to make any sense to the average reader. And the whole thing about those psychic shields -"shields up, shields down, shields up, shields down"- kind of reminded me of Mr Miyagi and his "wax on, wax off" motto. It just added a layer of complication that only served to make matters worse.
Will I go on with the series? Doubtful.
Hated the writing, the dialogues (discussions that stop abruptly and explanations that make no sense except to yogi masters), the interminable details and the execution of the worldbuilding Brook had in mind: too complicated by half to make any sense to the average reader. And the whole thing about those psychic shields -"shields up, shields down, shields up, shields down"- kind of reminded me of Mr Miyagi and his "wax on, wax off" motto. It just added a layer of complication that only served to make matters worse.
Will I go on with the series? Doubtful.
October 7, 2009
(Just a quickie comment from my second read 5/26/13)
Okay, so I was only going to do a reread of the Michael parts of the series, but I couldn't find my copies of Demon Angel or Falling for Anthony in paper so I started here, and Savi caught me - I'd forgotten how much I liked the oddball brilliant, geeky, vibrant combo that is her and how much she manages to slip through Colin's shields
A pleasant surprise (review from first read 8/27/2007)
After reading The Guardians: Demon Angel (Book 2) (Berkley Sensation), I just couldn't see how Colin could possibly make an appealing hero, he just seemed so shallow and self absorbed. Somehow Meljean Brook manages to pull it off. Savi (Hugh's adopted sister) is the perfect foil for Colin, she is as brilliant as he is beautiful and the seemingly doomed courtship between them has humor as well as heat. Surprisingly, the reason behind Colin's vanity and the apparent hopelessness of his love for Savi, make him a fine tortured hero and give him the depth needed to be worthy or Savi's love.
Where Demon Angel was really two books in one - covering eight hundred years and building the world of the guardians, demons and vampires - Demon Moon was much more focused, with events pretty much occurring during about a six month period. So the reviewers who complained about the lengthy prolog in the first book, should have no problem with this one. Demon Moon stands alone pretty well, but if you'd like to get the most out of it you should read Demon Angel, and then the short story Falling for Anthony in Hot Spell )(even though it was supposed to be the first in the guardian series it was far more enjoyable after having read Demon Angel). Falling for Anthony, is about Colin's sister and has the story of how he became a vampire, and knowing the back story makes certain scenes in Demon Moon more poignant.
The one area where the author could improve a bit is in setting up her next book. As I mentioned earlier, I was unsure about whether I really wanted to read a book about Colin based on his appearance in Demon Angel and while Drifter, the hero of her next book Demon Night did appear in this book, his role was very minor and didn't whet my appetite for more.
Okay, so I was only going to do a reread of the Michael parts of the series, but I couldn't find my copies of Demon Angel or Falling for Anthony in paper so I started here, and Savi caught me - I'd forgotten how much I liked the oddball brilliant, geeky, vibrant combo that is her and how much she manages to slip through Colin's shields
A pleasant surprise (review from first read 8/27/2007)
After reading The Guardians: Demon Angel (Book 2) (Berkley Sensation), I just couldn't see how Colin could possibly make an appealing hero, he just seemed so shallow and self absorbed. Somehow Meljean Brook manages to pull it off. Savi (Hugh's adopted sister) is the perfect foil for Colin, she is as brilliant as he is beautiful and the seemingly doomed courtship between them has humor as well as heat. Surprisingly, the reason behind Colin's vanity and the apparent hopelessness of his love for Savi, make him a fine tortured hero and give him the depth needed to be worthy or Savi's love.
Where Demon Angel was really two books in one - covering eight hundred years and building the world of the guardians, demons and vampires - Demon Moon was much more focused, with events pretty much occurring during about a six month period. So the reviewers who complained about the lengthy prolog in the first book, should have no problem with this one. Demon Moon stands alone pretty well, but if you'd like to get the most out of it you should read Demon Angel, and then the short story Falling for Anthony in Hot Spell )(even though it was supposed to be the first in the guardian series it was far more enjoyable after having read Demon Angel). Falling for Anthony, is about Colin's sister and has the story of how he became a vampire, and knowing the back story makes certain scenes in Demon Moon more poignant.
The one area where the author could improve a bit is in setting up her next book. As I mentioned earlier, I was unsure about whether I really wanted to read a book about Colin based on his appearance in Demon Angel and while Drifter, the hero of her next book Demon Night did appear in this book, his role was very minor and didn't whet my appetite for more.
July 21, 2010
Some books are good and make me feel happy (Twilight), some are well written and cause me to feel strong emotions (Time Traveler's Wife) and some are just so good - they are classics I'll read over and over (Dune). And many are so fun to read and down-right sexy (Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione... I love paranormal romance). For me, this book is all of those in one. I was just blown away.
Colin and Savi are truly a match made in heaven (or Caelum). Meljean has developed two wonderful characters, which individually did nothing for me, but together stirred every emotion within me. I cried tears of sorrow and joy while reading this book. The precise manner in which she detailed their thoughts, feelings and encounters is amazing. And I loved that she didn't put unnecessary conflict in front of Colin and Savi - no "misunderstandings" to keep them apart. They had to work their way through tough situations and emotions, and it was well worth it!
Although the storyline is second fiddle to the love story (for me), it was also well constructed and planned. I never felt that Meljean wrote in dialogue or actions that did not hold purpose or give life to the story. It is a big book, but there is no fluff. I anxiously await to start the next book.
Colin and Savi are truly a match made in heaven (or Caelum). Meljean has developed two wonderful characters, which individually did nothing for me, but together stirred every emotion within me. I cried tears of sorrow and joy while reading this book. The precise manner in which she detailed their thoughts, feelings and encounters is amazing. And I loved that she didn't put unnecessary conflict in front of Colin and Savi - no "misunderstandings" to keep them apart. They had to work their way through tough situations and emotions, and it was well worth it!
Although the storyline is second fiddle to the love story (for me), it was also well constructed and planned. I never felt that Meljean wrote in dialogue or actions that did not hold purpose or give life to the story. It is a big book, but there is no fluff. I anxiously await to start the next book.
January 23, 2011
This is book 2 in the Guardian Series. Based on a recommendation from the author, I started reading the Guardian Series with book 3, and read and really enjoyed the series. So I decided to go back, and pick up the back story with book 1 (which is not available on kindle!!!) and book 2. Book 1 was rather long and convoluted, but Demon Moon was very much like the rest of the series, and I really loved it. While you could probably skip book 1 completely, there was actually alot in there that I thought directly fed into this story.
This was a beautiful story, but one of the things that I really loved about it was the non-standard characters. The heroine is half Indian, and the hero is vain and selfish. Meljean Brook has a habit of populating her books with interesting characters from all places and times, and it makes for a refreshing read.
This was a beautiful story, but one of the things that I really loved about it was the non-standard characters. The heroine is half Indian, and the hero is vain and selfish. Meljean Brook has a habit of populating her books with interesting characters from all places and times, and it makes for a refreshing read.
January 19, 2016
Characters are very likable but the story seemed to drag.
August 18, 2016
Colin Ames-Beaumont, a two hundred year old nosferatu-born vampire, possesses an otherworldly and angelic beauty that is almost unbearable to look upon. He also exudes skillful yet flagrant charm and a cutting British wit making the combination so intense that Colin can cause even the most straight of men to question their sexuality. But with Colin's beauty also comes a deep streak of vanity that would rival most kings and queens throughout the span of history and a selfishness that knows no bounds.
Yet even for Colin, whose beauty is like a golden key to the world, it doesn't necessarily equate to happiness. Soon after his transformation, Colin became cursed. Now, despite his undeniable attraction, to drink his blood would bring upon a gruesome death condemning Colin to a lonely existence filled to the brim with countless random women that forget his face the moment they fall asleep. He also never appears in photographs or video cameras making whomever he's with appear to be talking or posing by themselves. Then there is the lack of his reflection...
While every other being on the planet sees themselves in their reflection, Colin sees only the debilitating horror that is Chaos. Gone is his radiant beauty and in its place, a ceiling of bodies that dangle to be eaten only to regenerate and be eaten again. Their faces - frozen in the fields of Hell. Wyrmwolves, dragons, and other terrifying creatures roam the fire laden land ripping chunks from each other while the screams from the bodies above resound with everlasting terror. It is in this realm that Colin was trapped for days that may as well have been an eternity and the experience left scars not only criss-crossing his own soul, but Savitri Murray's as well.
Savi is a woman that despite the horrible tragedies of her past, still retains an innocent naivete combined with fearless curiosity. Having only recently come to terms with angels, demons, and vampires existing, she's marvelously centered and down to earth. She's also a technological genius and retains what can only best be described as an incomparable photographic memory. When curiosity propels her into the arms of Colin after his sojourn to Chaos, she soon learns a much needed lesson in the wariness of strangers, especially of the supernatural sort.
For months Savi avoided Colin after the embarrassment of her learned lesson but a nosferatu bent on killing her, along with everyone else aboard her flight home from India, forces her and Colin together once again. And when her combined ingestion of blood from said nosferatu and hellhound venom adds the most alluring scent to her psyche and the most appealing taste to her tongue and flesh, Colin - suddenly starving - finds himself beyond aroused and on the verge of taking Savi no matter if she agrees or protests. He's like a man who has been struggling through the desert for an eternity and suddenly finds water. But while his addiction of all things Savi may have begun from purely his physical hunger and desire, Colin soon discovers that she's everything he's never known but suddenly all he's ever wanted.
Unfortunately, Colin's and Savi's love affair represents a maze filled with dozens of heart breaking dead ends. Savi, despite her newly developed and enhanced abilities from the nosferatu blood and hellhound venom, is still very much human. As a vampire, Colin must feed each night. While he can sustain himself on animal blood for a short while, he can't make it his regular food source for debilitating effects such as severe lack of strength and stupidity soon follow. His blood also prevents him from having a consort for another cannot drink from him without dying soon after. These facts not only prevent Colin from making Savi his regular food source for she is human, but both his blood, and Savi's now tainted blood, prevent him from transforming her into a vampire. This is due not only because of sure death but because her taint makes it impossible to know the outcome. In other words, Savi might not survive the transformation even from a vampire that could in fact offer it.
Then there is the Colin's inability to remain faithful. Even though Savi is all he desires, the bloodlust doesn't respect his free will. If Colin's blood host desires him, he will have sex even if his heart and mind refuses, their will propels him into the act. And because he must drink from a new human each night...well one can only imagine the extent of his forced infidelities.
Yet even with the odds stacked against them, Savi and Colin agree to one month of exclusivity. After which, Savi will continue on with her human life and Colin with his vampire one. And despite the fact that life will loose all luster at month's end, they're still both brave enough to come to one another, stripped to their very cores, and embrace their short time together without reservations. But danger threatens to end their affair prematurely. A demon is posing as Colin in an effort to take over the vulnerable San Francisco vampire community and he's really starting to enjoy his new gorgeous persona. Enjoying it so much so that the demon intends on making it his permanent lifestyle by not only killing Colin, but arranging Savi's death as well.
Colin Ames-Beaumont is extremely unique in the realm of romance heroes. Of course we've seen many an arrogant and self-assured hero but have we seen one as vain as Colin? Not in my readings. He's very unusual and on the surface, very off putting. It's Colin's curse and its subsequent battles that give him emotional range as a hero. His vanity is comical to extant but its reason for being isn't. I don't rightly know what loosing your reflection for an eternity would do to a person, especially for someone who relies so heavily upon it as a faucet of their personality. But in any case, what Colin lost was detrimental and he could have turned into a very evil creature but luckily for him, he was and still is surrounded by people who care and who give him strength. While Colin might not show it for the world to see, he is appreciative but it soon becomes Savi that he appreciates the most and truthfully couldn't live without her. He'd sacrifice himself, and he loves himself - at least at one point - above all others, but for Savi, he'd gladly die. There's heroism in that. At any rate, the vampire is freakin' HAWT!
Savitri was another new romance character for me and it goes without saying that all Brook's characters are new in some respects, but Savi is unique just like Colin. Savi is a nerd, but a brilliant one. She's fascinating really, and how often can you say that about a heroine? I loved her amazing photographic memory and how she connects to past events through emotion. It lent a real interesting dynamic to her character. And her intelligence isn't grating. Instead, as a reader, you share her almost childlike wonder with new discoveries. Savi is also strong, stronger than me in the fact that she wouldn't, couldn't be with Colin due to his inability to remain faithful. She retains a solid knowing of her self worth and for that I had respect.
The sexual tension in DEMON MOON is palpable. Even after this being my third re-read, I still felt the sparks and melted at their words. Some of the things that Colin and Savi say to one another seriously caused my heart to hurt with wonder. After reading romance for so long, it's hard to find a book that can do this for you much less do it for you three times over. I'm in awe that Brook took two very unusual characters and let them each grow and shape their individuality with passion and an all consuming love. Having experienced it three times, I'm thinking that it still isn't enough.
Yet even for Colin, whose beauty is like a golden key to the world, it doesn't necessarily equate to happiness. Soon after his transformation, Colin became cursed. Now, despite his undeniable attraction, to drink his blood would bring upon a gruesome death condemning Colin to a lonely existence filled to the brim with countless random women that forget his face the moment they fall asleep. He also never appears in photographs or video cameras making whomever he's with appear to be talking or posing by themselves. Then there is the lack of his reflection...
While every other being on the planet sees themselves in their reflection, Colin sees only the debilitating horror that is Chaos. Gone is his radiant beauty and in its place, a ceiling of bodies that dangle to be eaten only to regenerate and be eaten again. Their faces - frozen in the fields of Hell. Wyrmwolves, dragons, and other terrifying creatures roam the fire laden land ripping chunks from each other while the screams from the bodies above resound with everlasting terror. It is in this realm that Colin was trapped for days that may as well have been an eternity and the experience left scars not only criss-crossing his own soul, but Savitri Murray's as well.
Savi is a woman that despite the horrible tragedies of her past, still retains an innocent naivete combined with fearless curiosity. Having only recently come to terms with angels, demons, and vampires existing, she's marvelously centered and down to earth. She's also a technological genius and retains what can only best be described as an incomparable photographic memory. When curiosity propels her into the arms of Colin after his sojourn to Chaos, she soon learns a much needed lesson in the wariness of strangers, especially of the supernatural sort.
For months Savi avoided Colin after the embarrassment of her learned lesson but a nosferatu bent on killing her, along with everyone else aboard her flight home from India, forces her and Colin together once again. And when her combined ingestion of blood from said nosferatu and hellhound venom adds the most alluring scent to her psyche and the most appealing taste to her tongue and flesh, Colin - suddenly starving - finds himself beyond aroused and on the verge of taking Savi no matter if she agrees or protests. He's like a man who has been struggling through the desert for an eternity and suddenly finds water. But while his addiction of all things Savi may have begun from purely his physical hunger and desire, Colin soon discovers that she's everything he's never known but suddenly all he's ever wanted.
Unfortunately, Colin's and Savi's love affair represents a maze filled with dozens of heart breaking dead ends. Savi, despite her newly developed and enhanced abilities from the nosferatu blood and hellhound venom, is still very much human. As a vampire, Colin must feed each night. While he can sustain himself on animal blood for a short while, he can't make it his regular food source for debilitating effects such as severe lack of strength and stupidity soon follow. His blood also prevents him from having a consort for another cannot drink from him without dying soon after. These facts not only prevent Colin from making Savi his regular food source for she is human, but both his blood, and Savi's now tainted blood, prevent him from transforming her into a vampire. This is due not only because of sure death but because her taint makes it impossible to know the outcome. In other words, Savi might not survive the transformation even from a vampire that could in fact offer it.
Then there is the Colin's inability to remain faithful. Even though Savi is all he desires, the bloodlust doesn't respect his free will. If Colin's blood host desires him, he will have sex even if his heart and mind refuses, their will propels him into the act. And because he must drink from a new human each night...well one can only imagine the extent of his forced infidelities.
Yet even with the odds stacked against them, Savi and Colin agree to one month of exclusivity. After which, Savi will continue on with her human life and Colin with his vampire one. And despite the fact that life will loose all luster at month's end, they're still both brave enough to come to one another, stripped to their very cores, and embrace their short time together without reservations. But danger threatens to end their affair prematurely. A demon is posing as Colin in an effort to take over the vulnerable San Francisco vampire community and he's really starting to enjoy his new gorgeous persona. Enjoying it so much so that the demon intends on making it his permanent lifestyle by not only killing Colin, but arranging Savi's death as well.
Colin Ames-Beaumont is extremely unique in the realm of romance heroes. Of course we've seen many an arrogant and self-assured hero but have we seen one as vain as Colin? Not in my readings. He's very unusual and on the surface, very off putting. It's Colin's curse and its subsequent battles that give him emotional range as a hero. His vanity is comical to extant but its reason for being isn't. I don't rightly know what loosing your reflection for an eternity would do to a person, especially for someone who relies so heavily upon it as a faucet of their personality. But in any case, what Colin lost was detrimental and he could have turned into a very evil creature but luckily for him, he was and still is surrounded by people who care and who give him strength. While Colin might not show it for the world to see, he is appreciative but it soon becomes Savi that he appreciates the most and truthfully couldn't live without her. He'd sacrifice himself, and he loves himself - at least at one point - above all others, but for Savi, he'd gladly die. There's heroism in that. At any rate, the vampire is freakin' HAWT!
Savitri was another new romance character for me and it goes without saying that all Brook's characters are new in some respects, but Savi is unique just like Colin. Savi is a nerd, but a brilliant one. She's fascinating really, and how often can you say that about a heroine? I loved her amazing photographic memory and how she connects to past events through emotion. It lent a real interesting dynamic to her character. And her intelligence isn't grating. Instead, as a reader, you share her almost childlike wonder with new discoveries. Savi is also strong, stronger than me in the fact that she wouldn't, couldn't be with Colin due to his inability to remain faithful. She retains a solid knowing of her self worth and for that I had respect.
The sexual tension in DEMON MOON is palpable. Even after this being my third re-read, I still felt the sparks and melted at their words. Some of the things that Colin and Savi say to one another seriously caused my heart to hurt with wonder. After reading romance for so long, it's hard to find a book that can do this for you much less do it for you three times over. I'm in awe that Brook took two very unusual characters and let them each grow and shape their individuality with passion and an all consuming love. Having experienced it three times, I'm thinking that it still isn't enough.
May 23, 2024
It's rare, in paranormal romance, that the fate of the couple goes to the very last pages. You usually get a chapter or two or an epilogue. This author took the couple's fate, their very lives, down the wire!
I'm really enjoying this series! I wish the author had been more creative with her titles but simple works too!
There is more action and fully, fleshed, recurring side characters to make the romance a bit more tolerable. The author has also added a tiny bit of spice to the sex. It's not
totally vanilla here folks!
I'm really enjoying this series! I wish the author had been more creative with her titles but simple works too!
There is more action and fully, fleshed, recurring side characters to make the romance a bit more tolerable. The author has also added a tiny bit of spice to the sex. It's not
totally vanilla here folks!
January 11, 2025
ไม่อีกแล้วที่แม็กซ์จะสงสัยเคลือบแคลงคำแนะนำของผู้รู้ (คงรู้ตัวนะว่าแม็กซ์หมายถึงตัวเอง) ที่คำแนะนำให้แม็กซ์อ่านหนังสือไม่เคยพลาด
ไม่อีกแล้วที่แม็กซ์จะด่วนสรุปก่อนข้อเท็จจริงทั้งหมดจะถูกวางอยู่ตรงหน้า
ไม่อีกแล้วที่แม็กซ์จะพูดว่าหนังสือของเมลจีน บรู๊คยาวเกินไป
หนังสือหนา 471 หน้าของเรื่อง Demon Moon เป็นสี่ร้อยกว่าหน้าที่สั้นเกินไปด้วยซ้ำสำหรับการได้รู้จักกับคอลิน เอมส์-โบมองค์
แวมไพร์อายุสองร้อยปี และไม่เคยเสียใจ หรือขอโทษในสิ่งที่เขาเป็น
คอลินเป็นแวมไพร์ที่ต่างจากแวมไพร์ทั่วไป เขาเกิดจากสิ่งมีชีวิตที่เรียกว่า "นอสฟาราตู" ก่อนจะเล่าเรื่องต่อคงต้องเล่าถึงตัวละครประเภทต่าง ๆ ในเรื่องนี้ก่อน
ในช่วงก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ เมื่อเกิดสงครามระหว่างเทพบนสวรรค์ มีเทพบางกลุ่มที่เลือกจะอยู่เฉย ไม่เข้าข้างฝ่ายไหน จนกระทั่งสงครามเสร็จสิ้น การแบ่งโลกก็เกิดขึ้น กลุ่มที่ชนะได้ครอบครองสวรรค์ กลุ่มที่แพ้ถูกไล่ไปอยู่ในนรก และกลายเป็นปีศาจ (ดังนั้นปีศาจและเทพบุตรก็คือสิ่งมีชีวิตชนิดเดียวกันนั่นเอง) ส่วน ไมเคิล มนุษย์คนที่เข้ามาช่วยทำให้ฝ่ายปีศาจแพ้สงคราม ก็ได้รับพลังพิเศษให้มีพลังเหมือนเทพบุตร และมีพลังในการเปลี่ยนมนุษย์ให้เป็นการ์เดียน ซึ่งถูกมอบหมายหน้าที่จากเทพบุตรให้คุ้มครองมนุษย์จากการรุนรานของปีศาจ
ส่วนกลุ่มที่อยู่นิ่งเฉยก็โดนลงโทษให้กลายเป็น "นอสฟาราตู" ซึ่งก็คือแวมไพร์ชนิดหนึ่ง อันที่จริงนอสฟาราตูคือผู้ให้กำเนิดแวมไพร์ เพียงแต่นอสฟาราตูจะถูกควบคุมด้วยความต้องการที่ไม่สิ้นสุด พวกนี้ไม่อาจหยุดตัวเองเพียงการดื่มเลือด เขาจะต้องดื่มจนเหยื่อตาย นอสฟาราตูถูกสาปให้ทนทุกข์กับการไม่เลือกของตนเอง
แวมไพร์เกิดจากการแลกเปลี่ยนเลือดระหว่างแวมไพร์ด้วยกัน หรืออาจเกิดจากการดื่มเลือดของนอสฟาราตูก็ได้ แต่ถ้าเกิดจากนอสฟาราตู แวมไพร์คนนั้นก็จะมีความแข็งแรงมากกว่าแวมไพร์ทั่วไป
คอลินไม่เพียงแต่จะเกิดการจากดื่มเลือดของนอสฟาราตู เขายังเคยถูกดาบของไมเคิล (ที่ใช้ในการทำสงครามกับพวกปีศาจและมังกร) ทำให้เขาถูกสาป เขาเป็นแวมไพร์ชนิดพิเศษที่ไม่อาจมองเห็นเงาของตัวเองในกระจก ซึ่งนั่นเป็นเรื่องที่น่าตลก ในเมื่อเขาเป็นคนที่งดงามที่สุด ความงามของเขาทำให้คนหยุดหายใจ กระทั่งผู้ชายที่ตรงไปตรงมา (แปลว่าไม่ใช่ตุ๊ดหรือเกย์) ก็ยังอดชมความงามของเขาไม่ได้
ความงามที่ไม่อาจถูกสะท้อนได้ในกระจก แผ่นฟิล์ม หรือกระทั่งเงาสะท้อนของน้ำ
คอลินใช้ชีวิตตลอดสองร้อยปีอย่างลูกคนเล็กของขุนนางอังกฤษในศตวรรษที่ 18 ล่องลอย ไม่เป็นชิ้นเป็นอัน แม้กระทั่งเมื่อกลายเป็นแวมไพร์เขาก็ยังเหมือนเดิม ไม่มีความรับผิดชอบอะไร แต่แล้วสถานการณ์ก็บังคับให้เขาต้องก้าวขึ้นเป็นผู้นำแวมไพร์แห่งซานฟรานซิสโก
ตลอดชีวิตเขาไม่เคยผูกพันกับผู้หญิงคนไหน จนกระทั่งเขาได้เจอกับสาวิตรี เมอร์เรย์ ผู้หญิงที่มีความพิเศษพอพอกับเขา
แม้ว่าเรื่องนี้จะเป็นแนวพารานอมอล แต่หัวใจหลักของเรื่องก็คือ ความรักที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ระหว่างคอลิน กับสาวิตรี เพราะเขาเป็นแวมไพร์ที่ไม่สามารถให้ใครดื่มเลือดได้ ดังนั้นเขาจึงเปลื่ยนให้เธอเป็นแวมไพร์ไม่ได้ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเมื่อดื่มเลือดเขาก็ต้องมีเซ็กซ์กับเหยื่อ ดังนั้นการซื่อสัตย์จึงเป็นไปไม่ได้ และเมื่อปราศจากความซื่อสัตย์ ความสัมพันธ์ก็เป็นไปไม่ได้
การอ่านเรื่องนี้ต้องค่อยอ่าน ซึมซับทีละฉาก พล็อตเรื่องที่เล่าให้ฟังไปก่อนนั้น ไม่ได้ถูกเล่าอย่างเรียงลำดับ แต่เป็นการเก็บข้อมูลตลอดทั้งเรื่อง
ต้องใจเย็น แล้วปล่อยให้จินตนาการของเมลจีนพาคุณไป
สนุกจนไม่รู้จะเล่าให้ฟังยังไง เอาคะแนนไปดูแล้วกันค่ะ 93 (เทียบกับ 70 ของ Demon Angel ที่อยู่ในคิวรีรีด ที่จะต้องเปลี่ยนคะแนนต่อไป)
11/06/2007
ขอแก้ตัวอีกรอบแล้วกัน เพราะมีคนส่งเสียงมาว่า บลอกอันก่อนหน้าของแม็กซ์อ่านไม่รู้เรื่องเลย ก็ขออำภัยด้วยแล้วกัน เพราะตอนนั้นทั้งมือสั่น และหัวใจสั่นอันเนื่องมาจากเพิ่งอ่านจบ อารมณ์ก็เลยบรรเจิด กระเจิดกระเจิงไปไหนจนเขียนไม่รู้เรื่อง
เริ่มต้นเตือนว่า ต่อไปเป็นสปอลย์นะคะ เพราะมันเป็นไปไม่ได้เลยที่จะเล่าเรื่องเดม่อน มูนให้รู้เรื่องโดยไม่สปลอย์เรื่องเดม่อน แองเจิ้ล และก็ถือว่าเป็นการบอกกล่าวล่วงหน้าเลยแล้วกันว่า กรุณาอ่านแองเจิ้ล ก่อนจะ��ิดหยิบมูนมาอ่าน เพราะไม่งั้นจะรู้สึกเหมือนเพิ่งถูกรถชน ไม่รู้ว่าตัวเองอยู่ที่ไหน
ในเดม่อน มูน แวมไพร์พระเอกของเรา คอลิน เอมส์-โบมองค์กำลังเล่นเอ็มเอสเอ็นอยู่เมื่อเขาได้รับข้อความจากสาวิตรี เมอร์เรย์ หญิงสาวที่เมื่อหลายเดือนเขา เขามีโอกาสได้พบในเคย์ลัม (หรือสวรรค์) เคย์ลัมไม่ใช่ที่สำหรับคนตาย แต่เป็นสถานที่พักอาศัยของเหล่าการ์เดียน และในการทำศึกกับลูซิเฟอร์ ลอร์ดแห่งนรกในเดม่อน แองเจิ้ล คอลินซึ่งเลือดของเขาเป็นอาวุธสำคัญในการเอาชนะศึกครั้งนั้น และสาวิตรีที่เปรียบเสมือนน้องสาวของฮิวจ์ พระเอกเล่มก่อน ถูกพาตัวมาที่เคย์ลัมเพื่อความปลอดภัย สิ่งที่คนอื่น (ในเรื่อง) ไม่รู้ และคนอ่านจะยังไม่รู้ไปอีกหลายร้อยหน้า การพบกันของทั้งคู่มันมากกว่าการเจอกันธรรมดา
ประสบการณ์ครั้งนั้นทำให้สาวิตรีพยายามหลบหน้าคอลินมาตลอด จนกระทั่งเมื่อเธอพบว่าตัวเองกำลังบินอยู่เหนือมหาสมุทรแอตแลนติกพร้อมผู้โดยสารกว่าสามร้อยคน และนอสฟาราตูที่วา��แผนจะฆ่าคนทั้งลำ ด้วยความที่เป็นสาวยุคใหม่ สาวิตรีก็รีบส่งข้อความด่วนผ่านทางคอมพิวเตอร์เพื่อขอความช่วยเหลือ แต่มันสายเกินไป
สาวิตรีต้องลงมือเอง ด้วยความฉลาดและกล้าหาญเธอจัดการกับนอสฟาราตูคนนั้นได้ แต่ก็ต้องแลกกับการที่เธอต้องดื่มเลือดของมัน และยาพิษที่มาจากหมาสามหัว (นึกถึงสุนัขที่เฝ้าประตูนรก) และนั่นทำให้เธอไม่ได้เป็นเพียงผู้หญิงธรรมดาอีกต่อไป
เธอยังเป็นมนุษย์อยู่ แต่แข็งแรงมากขึ้น ว่องไวมากขึ้น ดังนั้นจึงเป็นเรื่องเกือบปกติมากที่เธอจะถูกเรียกตัวไปฝึกในหน่วยพิเศษที่ฮิวจ์และลิลิธ (พระนางเล่มก่อน) จัดตั้งขึ้นเพื่อดูแลสถานการณ์หลังจากนรกปิดประตูลง (เป็นเหตุการณ์ต่อเนื่องมาจากเล่มก่อน ที่ลิลิธหลอกลูซิเฟอร์ให้ปิดประตูนรกได้สำเร็จ แต่ก่อนประตูจะปิดลง ก็มีปีศาจหนีมายังโลกหลายร้อยตัว ทำให้ต้องตั้งหน่วยงานนี้ขึ้นมาดูแล)
คอลินที่ตลอดชีวิตปฏิเสธความรับผิดชอลพบว่าตัวเองเป็นเป็นกุญแจสำคัญในการสอดส่องโลกที่เรียกว่า "เคออส" ในเล่มก่อนบรรดานอสฟาราตูถูกหลอกโดยฮิวจ์ให้ดื่มเลือดของคอลินที่มีความผูกพันอย่างลึกซึ้งกับเคออส (โลกที่อยู่ระหว่างนรกและโลกมนุษย์) และถูกส่งตัวไปที่นั่น ทุกคนคาดหวังว่านอสฟาราตูจะตายจากสภาพความเป็นอยู่ที่โหดร้ายของเคออส แต่หาเป็นเช่นนั้นไม่ นอสฟาราตูยังพยายามที่จะกลับมายังโลก และคอลินเป็นเพียงคนเดียวที่มองเห็นเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดในเคออส
ส่วนที่ว่าทำไมคอลินมองเห็นเคออส ก็เป็นเรื่องที่ต้องเล่ากันอีกหลายหน้ากว่าจะเข้าใจถ่องแท้ แต่สรุปง่าย ๆ ก็เพราะว่า คอลินเคยโดยดาบของไมเคิลบาด (มนุษย์คนแรกที่มาช่วยพวกแองเจิ้ลในการสู้กับปีศาจ จนได้รับพรให้มีชีวิตเป็นอมตะและมีพลังพิเศษ) และดาบอันนั้นไมเคิลใช้ในการฆ่ามังกร ซึ่งเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตที่อาศัยอยู่ในเคออส ทำให้คอลินเป็นสื่อที่ติดต่อกับเคออสได้
คอลินเป็นพระเอกโรแมนซ์ชนิดที่แม็กซ์อยากอ่าน เขาไม่เคยขอโทษหรือเสียใจในสิ่งที่เขากลายเป็น เขาไม่ได้เลือกที่จะเป็นแวมไพร์ แต่เขาไม่เคยนั่งทนทุกข์ ทำหน้าเก็กแล้วก็โอดโอยในขีวิตของตัวเอง เขาโดนสาปให้อยู่ตามลำพังไปตลอดชีวิต นั่นเพราะเลือดของมังกรที่เชื่อมโยงเขาไว้กับเคออสกลับเป็นยาพิษหากแวมไพร์คนอื่นดื่มเข้าไป นั่นหมายความว่าเขาไม่อาจใช้ชีวิตอยู่กับผู้หญิงคนไหนได้นาน เพราะถ้าเธอเป็นมนุษย์เขาก็จะดื่มเลือดเธอจนตาย แต่ถ้าเขาไม่ดื่มเลือดเธอ เขาก็ต้องแสวงหาจากคนอื่น ซึ่งในการดื่มเลือดของแวมไพร์ เลือดและเซ็กซ์ไม่อาจแยกกันออกได้ ดังนั้นจึงไม่มีทางที่เขาจะซื่อสัตย์ต่อผู้หญิงคนไหนได้นานเลย
คอลินรู้ข้อจำกัดของตัวเอง แต่นั่นไม่ได้ห้ามเขาจากการต้องการสาวิตรี เธอเป็นความลุ่มหลงที่เขาไม่อาจห้ามตัวเองได้ เขารู้ว่าเขาไม่เหมาะสมกับเธอ แต่นั่นไม่สำคัญเลยเมื่อเขาต้องการเธอ และแม้จะดูเหมือนเป็นไปไม่ได้ เขาก็ทำทุกวิถีทางเพื่อที่จะรั้งเธอให้อยู่กับเขาได้นานที่สุด
หัวใจของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ความรัก ประเด็นอื่นเป็นเรื่องรองลงไปทั้งสิ้น แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าจะไม่มีฉากแอ็คชั่น หรือการบอกเล่าเรื่องราวเกี่ยวกับโลกเหนือธรรมชาติที่เมลจีนสร้างขึ้นเพิ่มเติมหรอกนะ เพียงแต่ทุกอย่างมันลางเลือนไปเมื่อเทียบกับตัวละครที่ทรงพลังเช่นนี้
วิถีการเล่าเรื่องของเมลจีนนั่นเป็นวิธีการที่นักเขียนมือหนึ่งเท่านั้นที่กล้าใช้ เพราะถ้าไม่แน่จริง มันจะกลายเป็นความน่ารำคาญ อย่างประเด็นว่าเกิดอะไรขึ้นเมื่อคอลินและสาวิตรีเจอกันเคย์ลัม กว่าจะเปิดเผยก็ผ่านไปเกือบสามร้อยหน้าแล้ว
เดม่อน มูนอาจจะไม่เหมาะกับผู้อ่านทุกเพศทุกวัยหรอกนะคะ ไม่ได้คิดจะอวดว่าแม็กซ์เก่ง แต่แม็กซ์คิดว่า คนที่ภาษาอังกฤษไม่แข็งนัก อาจะมีปัญหาอย่างยิ่งในการหนังสือเล่มนี้ เพราะเมลจีนไม่เคยบอกอะไรคนอ่านตรง ๆ คุณต้องสรุปเอาจากคำพูดและการกระทำของตัวละครทั้งหมด การเล่าเรื่องก็ไม่ได้เป็นแบบดั้งเดิมที่คุ้นเคยกันหรอกนะคะ หลายอย่างต้องปะติดปะต่อเรื่องกันเอง
หลายจากที่ไม่มีหนังสือใหม่ของลอร่า คินเซลเป็นเวลาหลายปี แพทริเซีย กาฟเน่ย์ก็เลิกเขียนโรแมนซ์ ส่วนจูดิธ ไอวอรี่ก็ต้องรอร้อและรอ เมลจีน บรู๊คเป็นนักเขียนที่ใกล้เคียงกับมาสเตอร์เหล่านี้มากที่สุดแล้ว
คะแนนยืนยันที่ 93
ไม่อีกแล้วที่แม็กซ์จะด่วนสรุปก่อนข้อเท็จจริงทั้งหมดจะถูกวางอยู่ตรงหน้า
ไม่อีกแล้วที่แม็กซ์จะพูดว่าหนังสือของเมลจีน บรู๊คยาวเกินไป
หนังสือหนา 471 หน้าของเรื่อง Demon Moon เป็นสี่ร้อยกว่าหน้าที่สั้นเกินไปด้วยซ้ำสำหรับการได้รู้จักกับคอลิน เอมส์-โบมองค์
แวมไพร์อายุสองร้อยปี และไม่เคยเสียใจ หรือขอโทษในสิ่งที่เขาเป็น
คอลินเป็นแวมไพร์ที่ต่างจากแวมไพร์ทั่วไป เขาเกิดจากสิ่งมีชีวิตที่เรียกว่า "นอสฟาราตู" ก่อนจะเล่าเรื่องต่อคงต้องเล่าถึงตัวละครประเภทต่าง ๆ ในเรื่องนี้ก่อน
ในช่วงก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ เมื่อเกิดสงครามระหว่างเทพบนสวรรค์ มีเทพบางกลุ่มที่เลือกจะอยู่เฉย ไม่เข้าข้างฝ่ายไหน จนกระทั่งสงครามเสร็จสิ้น การแบ่งโลกก็เกิดขึ้น กลุ่มที่ชนะได้ครอบครองสวรรค์ กลุ่มที่แพ้ถูกไล่ไปอยู่ในนรก และกลายเป็นปีศาจ (ดังนั้นปีศาจและเทพบุตรก็คือสิ่งมีชีวิตชนิดเดียวกันนั่นเอง) ส่วน ไมเคิล มนุษย์คนที่เข้ามาช่วยทำให้ฝ่ายปีศาจแพ้สงคราม ก็ได้รับพลังพิเศษให้มีพลังเหมือนเทพบุตร และมีพลังในการเปลี่ยนมนุษย์ให้เป็นการ์เดียน ซึ่งถูกมอบหมายหน้าที่จากเทพบุตรให้คุ้มครองมนุษย์จากการรุนรานของปีศาจ
ส่วนกลุ่มที่อยู่นิ่งเฉยก็โดนลงโทษให้กลายเป็น "นอสฟาราตู" ซึ่งก็คือแวมไพร์ชนิดหนึ่ง อันที่จริงนอสฟาราตูคือผู้ให้กำเนิดแวมไพร์ เพียงแต่นอสฟาราตูจะถูกควบคุมด้วยความต้องการที่ไม่สิ้นสุด พวกนี้ไม่อาจหยุดตัวเองเพียงการดื่มเลือด เขาจะต้องดื่มจนเหยื่อตาย นอสฟาราตูถูกสาปให้ทนทุกข์กับการไม่เลือกของตนเอง
แวมไพร์เกิดจากการแลกเปลี่ยนเลือดระหว่างแวมไพร์ด้วยกัน หรืออาจเกิดจากการดื่มเลือดของนอสฟาราตูก็ได้ แต่ถ้าเกิดจากนอสฟาราตู แวมไพร์คนนั้นก็จะมีความแข็งแรงมากกว่าแวมไพร์ทั่วไป
คอลินไม่เพียงแต่จะเกิดการจากดื่มเลือดของนอสฟาราตู เขายังเคยถูกดาบของไมเคิล (ที่ใช้ในการทำสงครามกับพวกปีศาจและมังกร) ทำให้เขาถูกสาป เขาเป็นแวมไพร์ชนิดพิเศษที่ไม่อาจมองเห็นเงาของตัวเองในกระจก ซึ่งนั่นเป็นเรื่องที่น่าตลก ในเมื่อเขาเป็นคนที่งดงามที่สุด ความงามของเขาทำให้คนหยุดหายใจ กระทั่งผู้ชายที่ตรงไปตรงมา (แปลว่าไม่ใช่ตุ๊ดหรือเกย์) ก็ยังอดชมความงามของเขาไม่ได้
ความงามที่ไม่อาจถูกสะท้อนได้ในกระจก แผ่นฟิล์ม หรือกระทั่งเงาสะท้อนของน้ำ
คอลินใช้ชีวิตตลอดสองร้อยปีอย่างลูกคนเล็กของขุนนางอังกฤษในศตวรรษที่ 18 ล่องลอย ไม่เป็นชิ้นเป็นอัน แม้กระทั่งเมื่อกลายเป็นแวมไพร์เขาก็ยังเหมือนเดิม ไม่มีความรับผิดชอบอะไร แต่แล้วสถานการณ์ก็บังคับให้เขาต้องก้าวขึ้นเป็นผู้นำแวมไพร์แห่งซานฟรานซิสโก
ตลอดชีวิตเขาไม่เคยผูกพันกับผู้หญิงคนไหน จนกระทั่งเขาได้เจอกับสาวิตรี เมอร์เรย์ ผู้หญิงที่มีความพิเศษพอพอกับเขา
แม้ว่าเรื่องนี้จะเป็นแนวพารานอมอล แต่หัวใจหลักของเรื่องก็คือ ความรักที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ระหว่างคอลิน กับสาวิตรี เพราะเขาเป็นแวมไพร์ที่ไม่สามารถให้ใครดื่มเลือดได้ ดังนั้นเขาจึงเปลื่ยนให้เธอเป็นแวมไพร์ไม่ได้ แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเมื่อดื่มเลือดเขาก็ต้องมีเซ็กซ์กับเหยื่อ ดังนั้นการซื่อสัตย์จึงเป็นไปไม่ได้ และเมื่อปราศจากความซื่อสัตย์ ความสัมพันธ์ก็เป็นไปไม่ได้
การอ่านเรื่องนี้ต้องค่อยอ่าน ซึมซับทีละฉาก พล็อตเรื่องที่เล่าให้ฟังไปก่อนนั้น ไม่ได้ถูกเล่าอย่างเรียงลำดับ แต่เป็นการเก็บข้อมูลตลอดทั้งเรื่อง
ต้องใจเย็น แล้วปล่อยให้จินตนาการของเมลจีนพาคุณไป
สนุกจนไม่รู้จะเล่าให้ฟังยังไง เอาคะแนนไปดูแล้วกันค่ะ 93 (เทียบกับ 70 ของ Demon Angel ที่อยู่ในคิวรีรีด ที่จะต้องเปลี่ยนคะแนนต่อไป)
11/06/2007
ขอแก้ตัวอีกรอบแล้วกัน เพราะมีคนส่งเสียงมาว่า บลอกอันก่อนหน้าของแม็กซ์อ่านไม่รู้เรื่องเลย ก็ขออำภัยด้วยแล้วกัน เพราะตอนนั้นทั้งมือสั่น และหัวใจสั่นอันเนื่องมาจากเพิ่งอ่านจบ อารมณ์ก็เลยบรรเจิด กระเจิดกระเจิงไปไหนจนเขียนไม่รู้เรื่อง
เริ่มต้นเตือนว่า ต่อไปเป็นสปอลย์นะคะ เพราะมันเป็นไปไม่ได้เลยที่จะเล่าเรื่องเดม่อน มูนให้รู้เรื่องโดยไม่สปลอย์เรื่องเดม่อน แองเจิ้ล และก็ถือว่าเป็นการบอกกล่าวล่วงหน้าเลยแล้วกันว่า กรุณาอ่านแองเจิ้ล ก่อนจะ��ิดหยิบมูนมาอ่าน เพราะไม่งั้นจะรู้สึกเหมือนเพิ่งถูกรถชน ไม่รู้ว่าตัวเองอยู่ที่ไหน
ในเดม่อน มูน แวมไพร์พระเอกของเรา คอลิน เอมส์-โบมองค์กำลังเล่นเอ็มเอสเอ็นอยู่เมื่อเขาได้รับข้อความจากสาวิตรี เมอร์เรย์ หญิงสาวที่เมื่อหลายเดือนเขา เขามีโอกาสได้พบในเคย์ลัม (หรือสวรรค์) เคย์ลัมไม่ใช่ที่สำหรับคนตาย แต่เป็นสถานที่พักอาศัยของเหล่าการ์เดียน และในการทำศึกกับลูซิเฟอร์ ลอร์ดแห่งนรกในเดม่อน แองเจิ้ล คอลินซึ่งเลือดของเขาเป็นอาวุธสำคัญในการเอาชนะศึกครั้งนั้น และสาวิตรีที่เปรียบเสมือนน้องสาวของฮิวจ์ พระเอกเล่มก่อน ถูกพาตัวมาที่เคย์ลัมเพื่อความปลอดภัย สิ่งที่คนอื่น (ในเรื่อง) ไม่รู้ และคนอ่านจะยังไม่รู้ไปอีกหลายร้อยหน้า การพบกันของทั้งคู่มันมากกว่าการเจอกันธรรมดา
ประสบการณ์ครั้งนั้นทำให้สาวิตรีพยายามหลบหน้าคอลินมาตลอด จนกระทั่งเมื่อเธอพบว่าตัวเองกำลังบินอยู่เหนือมหาสมุทรแอตแลนติกพร้อมผู้โดยสารกว่าสามร้อยคน และนอสฟาราตูที่วา��แผนจะฆ่าคนทั้งลำ ด้วยความที่เป็นสาวยุคใหม่ สาวิตรีก็รีบส่งข้อความด่วนผ่านทางคอมพิวเตอร์เพื่อขอความช่วยเหลือ แต่มันสายเกินไป
สาวิตรีต้องลงมือเอง ด้วยความฉลาดและกล้าหาญเธอจัดการกับนอสฟาราตูคนนั้นได้ แต่ก็ต้องแลกกับการที่เธอต้องดื่มเลือดของมัน และยาพิษที่มาจากหมาสามหัว (นึกถึงสุนัขที่เฝ้าประตูนรก) และนั่นทำให้เธอไม่ได้เป็นเพียงผู้หญิงธรรมดาอีกต่อไป
เธอยังเป็นมนุษย์อยู่ แต่แข็งแรงมากขึ้น ว่องไวมากขึ้น ดังนั้นจึงเป็นเรื่องเกือบปกติมากที่เธอจะถูกเรียกตัวไปฝึกในหน่วยพิเศษที่ฮิวจ์และลิลิธ (พระนางเล่มก่อน) จัดตั้งขึ้นเพื่อดูแลสถานการณ์หลังจากนรกปิดประตูลง (เป็นเหตุการณ์ต่อเนื่องมาจากเล่มก่อน ที่ลิลิธหลอกลูซิเฟอร์ให้ปิดประตูนรกได้สำเร็จ แต่ก่อนประตูจะปิดลง ก็มีปีศาจหนีมายังโลกหลายร้อยตัว ทำให้ต้องตั้งหน่วยงานนี้ขึ้นมาดูแล)
คอลินที่ตลอดชีวิตปฏิเสธความรับผิดชอลพบว่าตัวเองเป็นเป็นกุญแจสำคัญในการสอดส่องโลกที่เรียกว่า "เคออส" ในเล่มก่อนบรรดานอสฟาราตูถูกหลอกโดยฮิวจ์ให้ดื่มเลือดของคอลินที่มีความผูกพันอย่างลึกซึ้งกับเคออส (โลกที่อยู่ระหว่างนรกและโลกมนุษย์) และถูกส่งตัวไปที่นั่น ทุกคนคาดหวังว่านอสฟาราตูจะตายจากสภาพความเป็นอยู่ที่โหดร้ายของเคออส แต่หาเป็นเช่นนั้นไม่ นอสฟาราตูยังพยายามที่จะกลับมายังโลก และคอลินเป็นเพียงคนเดียวที่มองเห็นเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดในเคออส
ส่วนที่ว่าทำไมคอลินมองเห็นเคออส ก็เป็นเรื่องที่ต้องเล่ากันอีกหลายหน้ากว่าจะเข้าใจถ่องแท้ แต่สรุปง่าย ๆ ก็เพราะว่า คอลินเคยโดยดาบของไมเคิลบาด (มนุษย์คนแรกที่มาช่วยพวกแองเจิ้ลในการสู้กับปีศาจ จนได้รับพรให้มีชีวิตเป็นอมตะและมีพลังพิเศษ) และดาบอันนั้นไมเคิลใช้ในการฆ่ามังกร ซึ่งเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตที่อาศัยอยู่ในเคออส ทำให้คอลินเป็นสื่อที่ติดต่อกับเคออสได้
คอลินเป็นพระเอกโรแมนซ์ชนิดที่แม็กซ์อยากอ่าน เขาไม่เคยขอโทษหรือเสียใจในสิ่งที่เขากลายเป็น เขาไม่ได้เลือกที่จะเป็นแวมไพร์ แต่เขาไม่เคยนั่งทนทุกข์ ทำหน้าเก็กแล้วก็โอดโอยในขีวิตของตัวเอง เขาโดนสาปให้อยู่ตามลำพังไปตลอดชีวิต นั่นเพราะเลือดของมังกรที่เชื่อมโยงเขาไว้กับเคออสกลับเป็นยาพิษหากแวมไพร์คนอื่นดื่มเข้าไป นั่นหมายความว่าเขาไม่อาจใช้ชีวิตอยู่กับผู้หญิงคนไหนได้นาน เพราะถ้าเธอเป็นมนุษย์เขาก็จะดื่มเลือดเธอจนตาย แต่ถ้าเขาไม่ดื่มเลือดเธอ เขาก็ต้องแสวงหาจากคนอื่น ซึ่งในการดื่มเลือดของแวมไพร์ เลือดและเซ็กซ์ไม่อาจแยกกันออกได้ ดังนั้นจึงไม่มีทางที่เขาจะซื่อสัตย์ต่อผู้หญิงคนไหนได้นานเลย
คอลินรู้ข้อจำกัดของตัวเอง แต่นั่นไม่ได้ห้ามเขาจากการต้องการสาวิตรี เธอเป็นความลุ่มหลงที่เขาไม่อาจห้ามตัวเองได้ เขารู้ว่าเขาไม่เหมาะสมกับเธอ แต่นั่นไม่สำคัญเลยเมื่อเขาต้องการเธอ และแม้จะดูเหมือนเป็นไปไม่ได้ เขาก็ทำทุกวิถีทางเพื่อที่จะรั้งเธอให้อยู่กับเขาได้นานที่สุด
หัวใจของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ความรัก ประเด็นอื่นเป็นเรื่องรองลงไปทั้งสิ้น แต่ก็ไม่ใช่ว่าจะไม่มีฉากแอ็คชั่น หรือการบอกเล่าเรื่องราวเกี่ยวกับโลกเหนือธรรมชาติที่เมลจีนสร้างขึ้นเพิ่มเติมหรอกนะ เพียงแต่ทุกอย่างมันลางเลือนไปเมื่อเทียบกับตัวละครที่ทรงพลังเช่นนี้
วิถีการเล่าเรื่องของเมลจีนนั่นเป็นวิธีการที่นักเขียนมือหนึ่งเท่านั้นที่กล้าใช้ เพราะถ้าไม่แน่จริง มันจะกลายเป็นความน่ารำคาญ อย่างประเด็นว่าเกิดอะไรขึ้นเมื่อคอลินและสาวิตรีเจอกันเคย์ลัม กว่าจะเปิดเผยก็ผ่านไปเกือบสามร้อยหน้าแล้ว
เดม่อน มูนอาจจะไม่เหมาะกับผู้อ่านทุกเพศทุกวัยหรอกนะคะ ไม่ได้คิดจะอวดว่าแม็กซ์เก่ง แต่แม็กซ์คิดว่า คนที่ภาษาอังกฤษไม่แข็งนัก อาจะมีปัญหาอย่างยิ่งในการหนังสือเล่มนี้ เพราะเมลจีนไม่เคยบอกอะไรคนอ่านตรง ๆ คุณต้องสรุปเอาจากคำพูดและการกระทำของตัวละครทั้งหมด การเล่าเรื่องก็ไม่ได้เป็นแบบดั้งเดิมที่คุ้นเคยกันหรอกนะคะ หลายอย่างต้องปะติดปะต่อเรื่องกันเอง
หลายจากที่ไม่มีหนังสือใหม่ของลอร่า คินเซลเป็นเวลาหลายปี แพทริเซีย กาฟเน่ย์ก็เลิกเขียนโรแมนซ์ ส่วนจูดิธ ไอวอรี่ก็ต้องรอร้อและรอ เมลจีน บรู๊คเป็นนักเขียนที่ใกล้เคียงกับมาสเตอร์เหล่านี้มากที่สุดแล้ว
คะแนนยืนยันที่ 93
January 5, 2011
I so want to give this book four stars because it is better than ”Demon Angel”...
I like Colin better than Hugh, he is funny, gorgeous and seriously vain, but he is also full of fear over his connection to Chaos which makes him very likable even tho he is sometimes rather mean to Savi. I like that the vampires aren't at the top of the food chain, that they know that both demons and nosferatu can kick their ass it just makes them more ... human oddly enough.
Savi is such a great heroine! I like that she is half Indian, that she is computer nerd who isn't really a nerd, that she has short hair, that she isn't afraid to say what she needs sexually and that she stands up to Lilith who frankly is a bit of a bitch.
The story.... well, I just had a problem with the whole Demon inpersonating Colin part of it. It was never really clear to me why he did this or why they even thought to look for it. Savi sort of stumbled upon it and I never got why she was even looking for problems. It felt like a way to make Colin Vampire Boss. Which I don't have a problem with, he didn't want it and had to be coerced which was cool, he didn't suddenly grow a conscience and decided to do good.
The Chaos part I liked, nice angsty moments there. The mirror room was scary and Colin's fears very real. I like that Colin, Hugh and Lilith are so crabby with one another. Colin especially, when he is in the mirror room he more or less blurts out Hugh's big secret to Savi. And Lilith is a constant bitch to every one except Hugh who she is very protective of.
But the rating... Well, I actually think, and this is a first for me, that this book and the previous one are too long... I know, crazy. It's just that in a PNR the romance takes centre stage and altho we get lots of hot and sweet moments it could have gone a bit faster. I almost wish these books were more like UF where romance sometimes takes several book to come to fruition because the world building is very good but ends up of course taking second place to the HEA. Having Colin and Savi's blood problems continue to the next book would have been fun, torture yes, but fun! I also think that the buildup to book 3 was well, non existing. Drifter was in one scene and didn't really make the impression on me that made me order his book right away.
I like Colin better than Hugh, he is funny, gorgeous and seriously vain, but he is also full of fear over his connection to Chaos which makes him very likable even tho he is sometimes rather mean to Savi. I like that the vampires aren't at the top of the food chain, that they know that both demons and nosferatu can kick their ass it just makes them more ... human oddly enough.
Savi is such a great heroine! I like that she is half Indian, that she is computer nerd who isn't really a nerd, that she has short hair, that she isn't afraid to say what she needs sexually and that she stands up to Lilith who frankly is a bit of a bitch.
The story.... well, I just had a problem with the whole Demon inpersonating Colin part of it. It was never really clear to me why he did this or why they even thought to look for it. Savi sort of stumbled upon it and I never got why she was even looking for problems. It felt like a way to make Colin Vampire Boss. Which I don't have a problem with, he didn't want it and had to be coerced which was cool, he didn't suddenly grow a conscience and decided to do good.
The Chaos part I liked, nice angsty moments there. The mirror room was scary and Colin's fears very real. I like that Colin, Hugh and Lilith are so crabby with one another. Colin especially, when he is in the mirror room he more or less blurts out Hugh's big secret to Savi. And Lilith is a constant bitch to every one except Hugh who she is very protective of.
But the rating... Well, I actually think, and this is a first for me, that this book and the previous one are too long... I know, crazy. It's just that in a PNR the romance takes centre stage and altho we get lots of hot and sweet moments it could have gone a bit faster. I almost wish these books were more like UF where romance sometimes takes several book to come to fruition because the world building is very good but ends up of course taking second place to the HEA. Having Colin and Savi's blood problems continue to the next book would have been fun, torture yes, but fun! I also think that the buildup to book 3 was well, non existing. Drifter was in one scene and didn't really make the impression on me that made me order his book right away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2015
Comecei a ler este livro, sem grandes expectativas e com o desejo de querer "despachá-lo". Tinha tido grandes dificuldades na compreensão do Damon Angel e sabia que, quanto mais depressa ultrapassasse este livro (considerado por alguns fãs da saga e mesmo por indicação da autora, difícil), mais depressa poderia apreciar o resto da saga. Isto pode parecer um pouco cruel mas, quando temos uma estante que parece crescer de dia-para-dia, em vez de diminuir, há alturas do ano em que não o interessa o que lemos, desde que ajude a passar o tempo. Era romance e era de um autor que eu conhecia e gostava: para mim era o suficiente.
Damon Angel tinha sido uma leitura difícil e longa e esperava deste livro algo semelhante mas, estranhamente, não foi isso que aconteceu. Sim, ainda é um universo complexo e difícil. Sim, ainda tive problemas para compreender tudo o que se estava a passar. Neste universo há mesmo muito para absorver mas mesmo assim adorei a aventura e o romance de ambos. Acho que teve momentos muito bons!
Não é segredo que Meljean Brook é uma das minhas escritoras favoritas e esta é uma das razões: ela é excelente quando escreve sobre casais interraciais. É muito fácil cair no erro de mencionar a diferença entre os elementos do casal, como admiração ou temor, nos romances românticos. Muitas escritoras até usam isso como tema do romance, o que é perfeitamente plausível. No caso de Savitri e Colin foi apenas um detalhe.
Colin é simplesmente delicioso. Sim, ele é bonito, vaidoso e orgulha-se disso. Savitri tem muitas restrições: a sua etnia e cultura, a sua mortalidade, a sua independência. Colin é quase como um oposto demasiado oposto para que um relacionamento entre ambos seja credível: ele parece acabado de sair de um livro de Oscar Wilde, ela do filme Blade Runner.
Damon Angel tinha sido uma leitura difícil e longa e esperava deste livro algo semelhante mas, estranhamente, não foi isso que aconteceu. Sim, ainda é um universo complexo e difícil. Sim, ainda tive problemas para compreender tudo o que se estava a passar. Neste universo há mesmo muito para absorver mas mesmo assim adorei a aventura e o romance de ambos. Acho que teve momentos muito bons!
Não é segredo que Meljean Brook é uma das minhas escritoras favoritas e esta é uma das razões: ela é excelente quando escreve sobre casais interraciais. É muito fácil cair no erro de mencionar a diferença entre os elementos do casal, como admiração ou temor, nos romances românticos. Muitas escritoras até usam isso como tema do romance, o que é perfeitamente plausível. No caso de Savitri e Colin foi apenas um detalhe.
Colin é simplesmente delicioso. Sim, ele é bonito, vaidoso e orgulha-se disso. Savitri tem muitas restrições: a sua etnia e cultura, a sua mortalidade, a sua independência. Colin é quase como um oposto demasiado oposto para que um relacionamento entre ambos seja credível: ele parece acabado de sair de um livro de Oscar Wilde, ela do filme Blade Runner.
March 14, 2017
Colin's book in the Guardian's series. After reading Demon Angel I wasn't very excited about picking this one up. Colin was an interesting character in the first novel, but I wasn't very keen on reading his story. However, I've been told a lot that this series needs to be read in order, so I resisted the temptation to skip it. Surprisingly, I ended up loving Colin. He starts off a bit annoying because he's narcissistic and cocky, but over the course of the story you really begin to see how much he values the few friendships he has. Those friendships are quite old though and Colin hasn't really tried to form new ones a long time. This made watching him try to cultivate a relationship with Savi really fascinating to see. Brook has a knack for writing characters who stand a little outside of human society because of their age or what they are. That gap between him and human society really came across in some scenes. But Savi was the character who really stole the show. She's a computer genius who relies on her intelligence to get her out of the situations she finds herself in. When the book opens, she's having a very James Bond-ish moment in an airplane that made me love her almost instantly. However, she has her limitations and she's fairly aware of what they are. All in all, I really loved this installment of the series.
July 3, 2016
Demon Moon - Meljean Brook
Guardians, Book 4; Paranormal Romance; 9/10
I read Brook's first Guardians books a while back and while I really liked them while reading them, afterwards I found myself ambivalent about continuing the series. This book got very good reviews around the blogsphere and so did the next one, Demon Night, so I bought a copy of this one and put it on the TBR. I'm very glad I did as this is a wonderful book. I found Brook's world-building easier to follow this time and while I remembered next to nothing about the previous book, she dropped enough hints for me to pick up all the important points that were needed for this one. She still tended to leave some things kind of obscure, I suppose assuming the reader could figure it out. Some of the time I could, but other times I couldn't. The characters were all wonderful - it was lovely to see Hugh, Lillith and Sir Pup again. I loved the heroine, Savi and just adored the hero, Colin, despite (or perhaps because of) his many faults. Brook left me worrying right till the end that they wouldn't get their happy ending - quite a feat in for a book written in a genre where a HEA is pretty much guaranteed. A great book and the next one is now on the TBR.
Guardians, Book 4; Paranormal Romance; 9/10
I read Brook's first Guardians books a while back and while I really liked them while reading them, afterwards I found myself ambivalent about continuing the series. This book got very good reviews around the blogsphere and so did the next one, Demon Night, so I bought a copy of this one and put it on the TBR. I'm very glad I did as this is a wonderful book. I found Brook's world-building easier to follow this time and while I remembered next to nothing about the previous book, she dropped enough hints for me to pick up all the important points that were needed for this one. She still tended to leave some things kind of obscure, I suppose assuming the reader could figure it out. Some of the time I could, but other times I couldn't. The characters were all wonderful - it was lovely to see Hugh, Lillith and Sir Pup again. I loved the heroine, Savi and just adored the hero, Colin, despite (or perhaps because of) his many faults. Brook left me worrying right till the end that they wouldn't get their happy ending - quite a feat in for a book written in a genre where a HEA is pretty much guaranteed. A great book and the next one is now on the TBR.
July 2, 2010
It's not you it's me.
One of these days I'm going to completely "get" one of Meljean's books. There's something about her style, I think I'm getting close to pin pointing the issue. She jumps, she writes like she's filming it. It seems like I'm a minute behind the action until the words on the page catch up. If I was watching it on a screen in front of me it'd be fabulous.
Hence, it's not you it's me.
I'm going to keep plugging away at The Guardians series. It is getting better for me, I just need to finish adjusting to her style. Don't let my 3 star slow you down, I know one of these days after my brain finally clicks to her style I'll go back re-read all of these and they'll likely bump up to 4 & 5 stars.
One of these days I'm going to completely "get" one of Meljean's books. There's something about her style, I think I'm getting close to pin pointing the issue. She jumps, she writes like she's filming it. It seems like I'm a minute behind the action until the words on the page catch up. If I was watching it on a screen in front of me it'd be fabulous.
Hence, it's not you it's me.
I'm going to keep plugging away at The Guardians series. It is getting better for me, I just need to finish adjusting to her style. Don't let my 3 star slow you down, I know one of these days after my brain finally clicks to her style I'll go back re-read all of these and they'll likely bump up to 4 & 5 stars.
August 17, 2013
Reread 16/8/13
Savi
Colin
Savi
Colin
May 26, 2013
I want to enjoy this series more than I currently am, the combination of Colin and Savi is vibrant and their sex scenes are absolutely scorching, however I'm having a lot of troubles with the pacing of the Demon series.
So much action, and for once I'm craving a bit of exposition and less text all at the same time. Apart from the core 4 I haven't really engaged with any of the other characters so I'm interested while at the same time slightly dreading the next instalments of this series.
So much action, and for once I'm craving a bit of exposition and less text all at the same time. Apart from the core 4 I haven't really engaged with any of the other characters so I'm interested while at the same time slightly dreading the next instalments of this series.
September 10, 2016
Eh. This didn't engage me like I thought it would. Not bad, just not truly compelling.
January 10, 2021
This is the second in the "Guardians" series by author Meljean Brook. I did not read the first book, and I must say I was disappointed that the author didn't do a better job of providing backstory in this one.
Vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont is stunningly beautiful and vain. However, he has not seen his own reflection in over 200 years, due to a curse that also makes his blood poison to any others who may try to drink from him. Savitri Murray is a human, curious and brilliant. She and Colin are drawn to one another, even though they are fated to be starcrossed lovers. Savi is mortal, while Colin is immortal. If Savi were to be turned, neither of them could share blood with the other, meaning they would be forced to drink from, and have sex with, others. Their dilemma is, do they reach for what happiness they can have now, or walk away before they become too involved with one another?
In the meantime, there is a demon impersonating Colin and trying to recruit vampires to do his bidding. Other creatures are drawn to Savi whenever she drops her psychic shields, endangering her and those around her. Will Colin be able to protect her when she's at her most vulnerable?
I'm having difficulty describing the plot. For one thing, there was a lot going on. A lot. And, since I hadn't read the first book in the series, I felt like I'd just started watching a long-running soap opera in the middle and had to flounder around while trying to figure out the storyline and the characters. Again, I felt the author could have done a much better job of providing backstory, rather than simply alluding to things that (presumably) happened in the first book. Did I like the story? Not especially. I found it to be engrossing, although not entertaining, if that makes sense. The author's writing is wonderful, the world building great, and the characters were very lifelike. Not helping matters is that it was a loooong book, and it took me a long time to read it, maybe getting in one chapter a day during my work weeks. The ending seemed a tad rushed and didn't make much sense to me.
Again, I did not like this book, so much as I found it compelling. That being said, however, it's going in the donation pile, along with the other two I have in this series. I primarily read for entertainment, and this required a lot of concentration. Nevertheless, it earns 4 stars.
Vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont is stunningly beautiful and vain. However, he has not seen his own reflection in over 200 years, due to a curse that also makes his blood poison to any others who may try to drink from him. Savitri Murray is a human, curious and brilliant. She and Colin are drawn to one another, even though they are fated to be starcrossed lovers. Savi is mortal, while Colin is immortal. If Savi were to be turned, neither of them could share blood with the other, meaning they would be forced to drink from, and have sex with, others. Their dilemma is, do they reach for what happiness they can have now, or walk away before they become too involved with one another?
In the meantime, there is a demon impersonating Colin and trying to recruit vampires to do his bidding. Other creatures are drawn to Savi whenever she drops her psychic shields, endangering her and those around her. Will Colin be able to protect her when she's at her most vulnerable?
I'm having difficulty describing the plot. For one thing, there was a lot going on. A lot. And, since I hadn't read the first book in the series, I felt like I'd just started watching a long-running soap opera in the middle and had to flounder around while trying to figure out the storyline and the characters. Again, I felt the author could have done a much better job of providing backstory, rather than simply alluding to things that (presumably) happened in the first book. Did I like the story? Not especially. I found it to be engrossing, although not entertaining, if that makes sense. The author's writing is wonderful, the world building great, and the characters were very lifelike. Not helping matters is that it was a loooong book, and it took me a long time to read it, maybe getting in one chapter a day during my work weeks. The ending seemed a tad rushed and didn't make much sense to me.
Again, I did not like this book, so much as I found it compelling. That being said, however, it's going in the donation pile, along with the other two I have in this series. I primarily read for entertainment, and this required a lot of concentration. Nevertheless, it earns 4 stars.
October 21, 2022
You can feel the amount of love and care the author has poured into this book. A part of this book is basically a love letter to south asian culture, and it is just done so well. My love for this author is somehow more than it was before just for that. I imagine there were not many woc badass heroines being published at the time this was released. (Not that there's an overly large number now, but even including current publications, not many done this well.
Okay so I was confused at some parts and that is partially due to my impatience in wanting to find out what happens, and the pacing could probably be better...but that's basically it. Every other aspect of the book is commendable. There's so many layers here, of backstory, of the characters, of the world building. The descriptions alone...and I think I have said this before but this is such an underrated thing. Well established authors, many that I enjoy, idk why, maybe bc its easy or maybe the publisher required it, but they find a successful formula to writing a book and then never deviate from it. Recycled plots, recycled twists, the same point at which to expect conflict or a kiss. The same characters and character traits recycled and it's kind of sad?
I have read at least 8 books by this author, and not a single one has repetitive anything. Each and every single time, the characters are so uniquely different from before, and what's more amazing is that despite being so vastly different you find yourself falling for them and rooting for them anyway. And not only are the characters different but so are the obstacles they face, as is the plot in each book. This author is not out to make money off of a basic formula though she easily could.
Anyways I adored Savi and her brilliance, and her superpowered brain, and her love of family and her quickness to forgive. She was so freaking relatable I didn't know what to do with myself. And only Meljean Brook could make me love Colin as much as i did. Their journey was amazing and I almost feared they wouldn't get their hea. Seeing multiple glimpses of hugh and lillith also made me happy. Solid 4 stars
Okay so I was confused at some parts and that is partially due to my impatience in wanting to find out what happens, and the pacing could probably be better...but that's basically it. Every other aspect of the book is commendable. There's so many layers here, of backstory, of the characters, of the world building. The descriptions alone...and I think I have said this before but this is such an underrated thing. Well established authors, many that I enjoy, idk why, maybe bc its easy or maybe the publisher required it, but they find a successful formula to writing a book and then never deviate from it. Recycled plots, recycled twists, the same point at which to expect conflict or a kiss. The same characters and character traits recycled and it's kind of sad?
I have read at least 8 books by this author, and not a single one has repetitive anything. Each and every single time, the characters are so uniquely different from before, and what's more amazing is that despite being so vastly different you find yourself falling for them and rooting for them anyway. And not only are the characters different but so are the obstacles they face, as is the plot in each book. This author is not out to make money off of a basic formula though she easily could.
Anyways I adored Savi and her brilliance, and her superpowered brain, and her love of family and her quickness to forgive. She was so freaking relatable I didn't know what to do with myself. And only Meljean Brook could make me love Colin as much as i did. Their journey was amazing and I almost feared they wouldn't get their hea. Seeing multiple glimpses of hugh and lillith also made me happy. Solid 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2018
Maybe this book is more of a 3/5 stars--maybe, but I'd rate my enjoyment as 2/5.
One of the issues is Brook's assumption that the reader has read everything published in the series thus far. She refers to events/ characters from two previous novellas/ short stories and from the first book as if those were introduced in this book. If I had not gone back to read the short stories, I'd have been annoyed, feeling as if I was missing some subtext, throughout this book.
If I'm being honest, the premise also made me uncomfortable. I just found the reason why Savi and Colin could not be together to be so ridiculous/ awkward. Some of the paranormal stuff also happen so coincidentally or accidentally, which makes for a weak plot imo. These characters stumble into some crazy sh*t so many times. Not their fault; it just happens.
The first half of the book is so rough. In one part, the start of a chapter jumps ahead in time after a cliffhanger moment, and Brook explains the missing pieces so much later all the while referencing something that happened prior to the book that was never mentioned at all previously, all of which leads to a disorienting reading experience.
This book is so long, too! Despite all the flaws, I kept reading mainly because I can see the potential, and I know it exists from reading her other series. As I'm reading this book in 2018, the vampire stuff feels so outdated, but I'll *probably* read the next book. Let's be real; I'm super interested in reading Michael's story, which seems to be the 8th and last book in The Guardian series. I'm glad because I'm sure Brook will have polished her writing style even more by that later book.
One of the issues is Brook's assumption that the reader has read everything published in the series thus far. She refers to events/ characters from two previous novellas/ short stories and from the first book as if those were introduced in this book. If I had not gone back to read the short stories, I'd have been annoyed, feeling as if I was missing some subtext, throughout this book.
If I'm being honest, the premise also made me uncomfortable. I just found the reason why Savi and Colin could not be together to be so ridiculous/ awkward. Some of the paranormal stuff also happen so coincidentally or accidentally, which makes for a weak plot imo. These characters stumble into some crazy sh*t so many times. Not their fault; it just happens.
The first half of the book is so rough. In one part, the start of a chapter jumps ahead in time after a cliffhanger moment, and Brook explains the missing pieces so much later all the while referencing something that happened prior to the book that was never mentioned at all previously, all of which leads to a disorienting reading experience.
This book is so long, too! Despite all the flaws, I kept reading mainly because I can see the potential, and I know it exists from reading her other series. As I'm reading this book in 2018, the vampire stuff feels so outdated, but I'll *probably* read the next book. Let's be real; I'm super interested in reading Michael's story, which seems to be the 8th and last book in The Guardian series. I'm glad because I'm sure Brook will have polished her writing style even more by that later book.
January 13, 2024
I don’t want to waste any time reviewing this book. But maybe I can spare somebody else from wasting their time reading it. I read book 1 of Meljean Brook’s The Guardians series and enjoyed it. So I read the prequel and was looking forward to more of Colin in the second novel-my mistake. Why a cultured, erudite, 200-year-old vampire, an artist and member of Byron and Shelly’s set would be enamored to the point of madness with a twenty-something gamer and anime fan with the body of an adolescent boy with budding breasts is just beyond me. Yes, Savi is a tech wiz that developed a multi-million dollar game, and yes, she has a photographic memory and is devoted to her grandmother. But despite her skill with a Sai, she is weak in too many ways to mention. The pairing here is as if the most beautiful, brilliant, sexy vampire ever, meets the little girl behind her game character’s curtain and inexplicably wants her so much he’ll die if he can’t have her. I love romance novels, but give me a break, this one is ridiculous. Unless you’re no older than 22 or a gamer or both, leave poor Colin to his inexplicable madness and move on.
March 26, 2021
This is a story of vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont and human geek Savitri Murray, who are attacked by ...uhm...some beings.
I love both Colin and Savi. Savi is smart, brave, and kind, everything that Lilith is not. Colin is not as sweet and good as Hugh, but he is a lot more entertaining. And he's also beautiful. I love to imagine beautiful people.
The story on the other hand....is very slow and hard to read. There are 470 pages of teeny tiny texts, with fairly simple plots (I think there is more than one) that are written to be overly complicated style, and a love story that more or less consists of Colin and Savi being confused about their relationship while everybody else laughs at them. Sometimes those two just talk and talk and talk about pretty much nothing of importance. This book can easily be shrunk by 150 pages and you won't miss anything.
I love both Colin and Savi. Savi is smart, brave, and kind, everything that Lilith is not. Colin is not as sweet and good as Hugh, but he is a lot more entertaining. And he's also beautiful. I love to imagine beautiful people.
The story on the other hand....is very slow and hard to read. There are 470 pages of teeny tiny texts, with fairly simple plots (I think there is more than one) that are written to be overly complicated style, and a love story that more or less consists of Colin and Savi being confused about their relationship while everybody else laughs at them. Sometimes those two just talk and talk and talk about pretty much nothing of importance. This book can easily be shrunk by 150 pages and you won't miss anything.
July 1, 2017
Colin Ames-Beaumont part vampire/part angel - 200+ years friends of Lilith and Hugh; beautiful;
Savitri Murray - the innocent child Hugh drew the line at, and took away free will to save her from being murdered and therefore 'fell' from being an angel; he watched over her; as an adult, and to keep her safe in the previous book he sends her, along with injured Colin to Caelum for a couple of months... where /passion overtook them? or maybe he stopped? or maybe she stopped? or maybe there was sex, but then walls went up? confusing...
But now they are together, and fighting together... and finding that passion here on earth...
Savitri Murray - the innocent child Hugh drew the line at, and took away free will to save her from being murdered and therefore 'fell' from being an angel; he watched over her; as an adult, and to keep her safe in the previous book he sends her, along with injured Colin to Caelum for a couple of months... where /passion overtook them? or maybe he stopped? or maybe she stopped? or maybe there was sex, but then walls went up? confusing...
But now they are together, and fighting together... and finding that passion here on earth...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
So really this is. 4.5 star review because there ARE parts that are confusing. Sometimes things move a little too fast. But oh my god I would read this book a thousand times. I just wanted them to have everything. I thought I loved Hugh and Lilith so much but I did not count on Collin and Savi. These two are right up there along with Archimedes and Yasmeen. Like this is peak love story for me. I get that this is not everyone’s jam but by all the book gods is it ever mine. Thank you for making this exist!!!!!
April 5, 2021
I love the magic and romance of this book. The characters are so interesting and the world keeps me intrigued. A nice blend of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, I love Savi especially though Colin is intriguing too. I love these characters and looking forward to reading more of this world/series.
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