Flora Reviews…
Read: 16th – 17th February 2015
Re-Read: 7th – 8th October 2017
Format: Kindle
My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
So what’s this book about?
Darkness Dawns is the first book in Ms Duvall’s popular Immortal Guardians Series (currently 7 novels plus 2 novellas); a paranormal romance tale (approx 346 pages) – although I think it would sit happily on the urban fantasy shelf due to some of the content – set in our modern human world featuring a new twist on the vampire genre:
Immortals and vampires are both infected with the same virus, which lends them dramatically increased strength, speed, healing capabilities and enhanced senses. Vampires are humans who have been infected, whereas immortals are gifted ones who have been infected. Gifted ones are men and women who were born with extremely advanced DNA that lends them special gifts, such as healing, telepathy, precognition and the like. Vampires rapidly descend into madness when the virus damages their brains but Immortals don’t; their advanced DNA protects them from that aspect of the virus.
Darkness Dawns can be read as a standalone story; yes, there are plot lines that continue in future books, however, the romance aspect of the tale is concluded by the end of this book in Ms Duvall’s signature HEA style.
If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews, so here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:
In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts…where passion can last forever, if you’re willing to pay the price…
Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…
In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect…
So, what did I like about it?
I am a firm fan of Ms Duvall’s writing style; she writes intelligent, engaging stories with a host of well written characters within a wonderfully creative mix of fantasy and reality that I find very easy to read. The pace is usually fast and full of action but without being disorienting and I like that she combines a couple of plot lines to run alongside the main romantic adventure. Darkness Dawns does not disappoint.
I enjoy books where the characters are not black or white, good or evil but a complex mix of positive and negative traits and emotions that they either have to embrace or overcome; the fact that these supernatural characters have been written with very real human virtues and foibles even though most of them are mythical, paranormal beings, adds that level of believability to this fantasy tale.
I enjoy a story more if the lead female character is intelligent, resilient and has a good sense of humour and I wasn’t disappointed here. Sarah was all of these and more. In fact, I liked the way that Sarah, Roland and all of the characters in this story were written, none of them were flat 2-dimensional creations, they all felt very real for me. Oh, and like most Brits I do love a bit of banter – this story has plenty of it! I found myself COL (Chuckling Out Loud) throughout, usually at Roland’s expense but hey he’s got broad shoulders, I’m sure he can take it.
I loved the fact that the mystery aspect of this story kept me guessing, the action kept me on the edge of my seat, the blossoming romance made me shed a tear as well as chuckle and the passion set my tummy a-tingling.
So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?
Nope – I wouldn’t change a thing!
So, basically what I’m saying is…
Couldn’t stop reading this amazing book!
It had everything that I look for in a 5 star book; intelligent writing style that’s easy to read, main characters with depth of character that I like and can believe, depth of character in the supporting cast, the a stage to the romance being a believable background story and world, good pace of story development, nice balanced mix of relationship growth with action scenes and sex scenes that get my heart rate pumping! I couldn’t stop reading this amazing book!
Due to the graphic violence and sex scenes, I would only recommend this book to adults who are not offended by this sort of content, so if you enjoy strong alpha heroes and independent capable heroines, tense often traumatic and brutal confrontations and hot lust/romance scenes then give this a go. It’s certainly left me wanting to read more of the Immortal Guardians series.
So, has my review of DARKNESS DAWNS (IMMORTAL GUARDIANS #1) encouraged you to find out more? Just click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself or to find out more about the author. To see the other books I’ve read, take a look at my profile on Goodreads.
See DARKNESS DAWNS on Goodreads.com
Buy DARKNESS DAWNS through the usual sources, including Amazon.co.uk or through Amazon.com
Visit DIANNE DUVALL‘s own little corner of the web, connect to her on social media via Twitter or Facebook or Goodreads or Pinterest
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