by Dianne Duvall
Sept 19, 2018
541 pages
Return to the “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews) world of New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall’s Immortal Guardians.
Dana Pembroke has been able to glimpse the future of those she touches for as long as she can remember. But she never saw Aidan coming. When the tall, dark Celt with the charming grin yet world-weary eyes walks through her door, the future she sees for him is one full of violence, danger, deception… and passion. Because amidst the terrifying battles that unfold in her visions, she also sees herself in Aidan’s arms and in his bed. Dana knows she should keep her distance, but the tender moments and laughter they share entice her even as she finds herself thrust into a world of vampires, immortals, and other preternatural beings.
Immortal Guardian Aidan O’Byrne has been hunting and slaying psychotic vampires for nearly three thousand years, so visions of bloody battles don’t trouble him. The battles Dana foresees, however, show Aidan’s brethren turning against him, so he can’t help but feel alarmed. While he spends as much time as he can with Dana, struggling to decipher her dire predictions, Aidan finds himself utterly smitten. Hope rises that he has finally found a woman who can banish the darkness and loneliness that plague him. But when vampires begin targeting Dana and a powerful enemy spawns chaos, will fate grant them time to find happiness together?
The setup for Dianne Duval’s Blade of Darkness is something out of a macabre play but instead of a tragic story, it’s one of survival, romance, and surprisingly it had a fair dose of humor in it too. It was also my first time reading a book by Duval!
Immortal Guardian Aiden O’Byrne has been fighting psychotic vampires for around three thousand years and is prepared to handle almost anything except some of the things Dana Pembroke sees in her visions. Dana sees Aidan’s brethren turning on him, she sees a lot of blood and chaos. She also sees herself with Aidan which startles her but the more she gets to know him, the more she wants to stop fighting her visions. Aiden, on the other hand, is just fine with the idea of him and Dana together, he’s been alone for so long and he can tell Dana is special.
Blade of Darkness had such a special character in Aiden. I know, I haven’t read the series other than this book but I really liked this guy. He was charming, world-weary, kind, and unbelievably funny. Most immortals have this uber serious, kind of dull personalities but Aiden had this quick sense of humor that was infectious and irresistible. I felt like I was missing some kind of inside joke about Aiden and his want of a mate though until it was kind of explained. Now I just have to go back and read the series from the beginning. Dana was delightful too. She was tough, smart, snarky, and easy to like. Even with her visions, she was just so unprepared to be thrown into the middle of a dangerous situation but she handled herself like a pro. I liked her ability to quickly adjust to her surroundings and be useful. That’s an important trait to me in a heroine.
However, what I really appreciated was Duvall’s way of telling a paranormal romance. She doesn’t waste time overexplaining or creating “empty” scenes that serve no purpose. The book starts off at a fast pace and doesn’t let up until the very end. I love that kind of pace, it gives the reader a chance to feel that blood pumping excitement (Or dread) and to me makes the experience even more enjoyable.
All in all Blade of Darkness was a great read and it won’t be my last time reading this author.
Sheep Rating: 4 ½ Sheep
Adria Reyes
About the Author
Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne's books "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly), "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "extraordinary" (Long and Short Reviews), and"wonderfully imaginative" (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews,and/or Night Owl Reviews.
Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .
Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .
Thank you for your review of Dianne Duvall’s BLADE OF DARKNESS! So glad that you enjoyed the book! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful review! I'm so glad you enjoyed Aidan and Dana's story. :-)
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