Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Mar 14, 2020 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, series, vampires, romance, 2020, reviewed, magic, r-ab

A great introduction to the world of Immortal Guardians who protect humankind from vampires.

The story focuses on Sarah, a human woman who stumbles upon Roland, while he's being tortured and near death and saves his life.

The two spend the day together while Roland recuperates from his wounds and waits for a friend to come help him, but the enemies who nearly succeeded in killing him are back in force, and (view spoiler) ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2011 Alisha rated it really liked it

Rating: 3.5
Quick Take: A solid opener for a brotherhood-centric paranormal romance series. I wasn't completely convinced by all of the story's twists and turns, but overall found a lot to like, especially in the characters' interrelationships.

Review:
Yay for yummy preternaturals! Or perhaps I should make that tall, hulking, intense, gorgeous and heroic preternaturals! This series opener hits all of the aforementioned points with its merry (or more appropriately, brooding) band of blood-sucking im Rating: 3.5
Quick Take: A solid opener for a brotherhood-centric paranormal romance series. I wasn't completely convinced by all of the story's twists and turns, but overall found a lot to like, especially in the characters' interrelationships.

Review:
Yay for yummy preternaturals! Or perhaps I should make that tall, hulking, intense, gorgeous and heroic preternaturals! This series opener hits all of the aforementioned points with its merry (or more appropriately, brooding) band of blood-sucking immortals.

You may have noticed I just now avoided using the moniker of "vampire" to describe the entities upon which the Immortal Guardians series is centered. In this world, "vampires" are mindless, bloodthirsty creatures of the night, whereas "immortals" are those who possess a very particular genetic composition allowing them to avoid the less refined aspects of their sanguineous nocturnal condition. Needless to say, the immortals are the "good" guys and the vampires are the bad.

Have you ever seen or heard of the independent film Before Sunrise? If so, you'll recognize a similar type of romantic structure, in which the two romantic leads--initially strangers--are thrown together for a short but intense (and revealing) period of time. Before Sunrise is one of my favorite movies, so I very much enjoyed the similar type of interplay in Duvall's tale. Here, the world distills to just the two protagonists (at least in their minds). They share such honesty with each other, resulting in a plausible and intriguing connection.

For that reason, I enjoyed the first half quite a bit more than the second, in which the story's scope broadens and begins some serious world-building. The climax of the tale felt like a bit of a jumble to me, and there were some plot developments and resolutions that seemed more random than surprising or exciting. That said, I still liked the characters and the overall lore that was developed throughout the book.

This book does a great job where character interrelationships are concerned; from the romance to the various friendships examined, there was plenty to be charmed by. The next book will inevitably focus on different protagonists (as is the standard practice in paranormal romances), but with this first glimpse at the cast's personalities and dilemmas, I'm supremely enthusiastic about what's in store. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2012 D.G. rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, reviewed, audiobook

**2.5 stars**

This was a really maudlin read. At the beginning I was enjoying it because it seemed both the hero and heroine acted sort of normal -she wasn't annoyingly feisty and got freaked out by the whole vampire thing - but then we got a rant on organic food and the book turned so maudlin that I rolled my eyes every few lines.

Roland and Sara meet when she saves his life. A enemy of Roland's is after him and Sara gets embroiled in the fight when she saves him. She's shocked and afraid when sh ...more

Like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Arlene rated it it was ok

I found it unoriginal. The characters a little bland and what little action/excitement it has was very much predictable. Although it redeemed it self a little towards the end and I'm a little curious of their leader Seth. He's a tad like Acheron. Powerful, enigmatic and mysterious. I'd like to read his story which I'm sure he'll have his own HEA.
...more

Like · see review

May 20, 2012 Deyara rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, char-vampires, time-contemporary, char-teachers-professors

Liked it. I'm vegetarian so the dietary choices didnt bother me, and the story was quite interesting. Roland did show me though that I have a very specific requirement for males lol. I hate the uber-alpha-male books and I didnt like Rolands wishy-washyness either. Apparently I cannot be satisfied! Sarah was quite good - she steps up when she needs to, but isnt all kick-ass. I will probably try book 2. ...more

Like · see review