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Immortal Guardians #3
Phantom Shadows
Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it's not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire....
Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can't remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different - and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question - he can't put her in danger. But she isn't asking him....
Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can't remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different - and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question - he can't put her in danger. But she isn't asking him....
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 2, 2012
About the author
Dianne Duvall
31 books3,975 followersDianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the acclaimed Immortal Guardians series, the exciting new Aldebarian Alliance series, and The Gifted Ones series. She is known for writing stories full of action that keeps readers flipping pages well past their bedtimes, strong heroes who adore strong heroines, lovable secondary characters, swoon-worthy romance, and humor that readers frequently complain makes them laugh out loud at inappropriate moments. AudioFile Magazine chose The Segonian (Aldebarian Alliance Book 2) as one of the Best Audiobooks of 2021 and awarded it the AudioFile Earphones Award for Exceptional Audio. It was also a Barnes and Noble Top 5 Indie Favorite Pick. Audible chose Awaken the Darkness as one of the Top 5 Best Paranormal Romances of 2018.
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 audiobooks have been awarded AudioFile Earphone Awards for Excellence. One was nominated for a prestigious Audie Award. And her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards.
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 psychotic vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit www.DianneDuvall.com, where you can also subscribe to her newsletter.
Be sure to follow Dianne on BookBub so you'll be among the first to know about sales, pre-orders, and new releases! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann....
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 audiobooks have been awarded AudioFile Earphone Awards for Excellence. One was nominated for a prestigious Audie Award. And her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards.
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 psychotic vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit www.DianneDuvall.com, where you can also subscribe to her newsletter.
Be sure to follow Dianne on BookBub so you'll be among the first to know about sales, pre-orders, and new releases! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
February 17, 2019
5 Black Sheep Stars
First read 5/2014
Reread 5/2019
OMG I fucking love me some Bastien. The Immortal black sheep just does it for me. Misunderstood, treated like shit, and excluded Bastien wasn't brought into the fold with welcome. Every time one of the others treated him shitty I wanted to reach though my book and backhand them. Richart is one of the first Immortals to treat him decent and for that I love Richart.
Sebastien Newcombe was all that was mouthwatering. He had a colored past, was lied to by the one he loved and trusted and thought he was something he wasn't. Now thrown into a group of Immortals that treat him like shit on the bottom of their shoes, it was no wonder Bastien was a smart ass. Bastien did a lot of growing in this book. He tried more because of his love for Melanie. I loved that Melanie seen the good in Bastien from the start. Melanie was strong, smart and outspoken. She knew what she wanted and she didn't let anyone make her feel bad about it. I loved that she stuck up for Bastien when everyone ripped into him.
I think it's great that Melanie was the one that openly pursued Bastien. Not that he didn't want her he just didn't want her to get fired or treated badly for dating the most hated Immortal. It was nice to see that woman can know what they want and go for it. Strong woman rock! I loved Bastien and Melanie together the good girl and the bad boy. They were too cute. I really liked that plot and I am really interested in Zack. I do wish that Seth would take his temper down a bit when it comes to Ami he is a tad over the top. I love the little bit of news we got about Ami at the end. Also it was nice to see a bit more of David's personality. I can't wait to read the next one!
First read 5/2014
Reread 5/2019
OMG I fucking love me some Bastien. The Immortal black sheep just does it for me. Misunderstood, treated like shit, and excluded Bastien wasn't brought into the fold with welcome. Every time one of the others treated him shitty I wanted to reach though my book and backhand them. Richart is one of the first Immortals to treat him decent and for that I love Richart.
Sebastien Newcombe was all that was mouthwatering. He had a colored past, was lied to by the one he loved and trusted and thought he was something he wasn't. Now thrown into a group of Immortals that treat him like shit on the bottom of their shoes, it was no wonder Bastien was a smart ass. Bastien did a lot of growing in this book. He tried more because of his love for Melanie. I loved that Melanie seen the good in Bastien from the start. Melanie was strong, smart and outspoken. She knew what she wanted and she didn't let anyone make her feel bad about it. I loved that she stuck up for Bastien when everyone ripped into him.
I think it's great that Melanie was the one that openly pursued Bastien. Not that he didn't want her he just didn't want her to get fired or treated badly for dating the most hated Immortal. It was nice to see that woman can know what they want and go for it. Strong woman rock! I loved Bastien and Melanie together the good girl and the bad boy. They were too cute. I really liked that plot and I am really interested in Zack. I do wish that Seth would take his temper down a bit when it comes to Ami he is a tad over the top. I love the little bit of news we got about Ami at the end. Also it was nice to see a bit more of David's personality. I can't wait to read the next one!
November 16, 2015
Bastien on a rampage. BEST THING EVER!!!! My favorite scene in this series so far, will probably remain so even after I read the other ones. THE BEST!
October 9, 2017
Re read via audio
Original comments:
I totally enjoyed this installment in the Immortal Guardian series. Bastian is a truly tortured soul. Having lived life for 200 years believing something that was not true, he can do nothing right now and has stopped trying. Melanie is the doctor that has always looked at him and seen good when no one else does.
Yes - he fights the attraction some. But is not too hard to come around. I think his downfall into love was sweet. Usually I do not like when the heroine is the aggressor, chasing the Hero. But this was a special circumstance and I found her to be funny, sweet and just what Bastian needed. It is not like she was chasing a "player" or someone who did not want her. He was trying to stay away from her so the others would not hate her as they do him.
As always, the secondary characters are a blast and really help make the story.
This book does have a lot of action and a lot going on that progresses the overall story forward. I know some feel it was light on romance, but I felt it was just right. I felt the chemistry and it carried through the book.
Safety Gang safe
Original comments:
I totally enjoyed this installment in the Immortal Guardian series. Bastian is a truly tortured soul. Having lived life for 200 years believing something that was not true, he can do nothing right now and has stopped trying. Melanie is the doctor that has always looked at him and seen good when no one else does.
Yes - he fights the attraction some. But is not too hard to come around. I think his downfall into love was sweet. Usually I do not like when the heroine is the aggressor, chasing the Hero. But this was a special circumstance and I found her to be funny, sweet and just what Bastian needed. It is not like she was chasing a "player" or someone who did not want her. He was trying to stay away from her so the others would not hate her as they do him.
As always, the secondary characters are a blast and really help make the story.
This book does have a lot of action and a lot going on that progresses the overall story forward. I know some feel it was light on romance, but I felt it was just right. I felt the chemistry and it carried through the book.
Safety Gang safe
December 2, 2016
I really loved Bastian! He was a cranky, rule breaking badass! There wasn't anything about him that bothered me. I totally understand why he thinks and feels the way he does. I loved Melanie too- she went after what she wanted and stepped up when she was needed. They were a great couple! I liked the suspense part if the story too!
August 20, 2018
I read the first two books in this series years ago and just remembered and decided to continue with this third story. I learned that they are definitely NOT stand-alone novels. The first 1/3 of the book was confusing, as we jump right into the world and the many characters with very little back-story to go on (and there is a LOT of character’s back stories that this book depends on.) The largest hole was Bastien’s because this entire installment revolved around him with very little explanation as to what exactly happened in his past and why.
IF, however, one has recently read the previous books, I’m sure this is a top-notch addition. The continued story is well-written, the characters well fleshed out and the action and storyline exciting.
IF, however, one has recently read the previous books, I’m sure this is a top-notch addition. The continued story is well-written, the characters well fleshed out and the action and storyline exciting.
August 29, 2019
4-4.5 stars - Paranormal Romance
Another great installment! I'm really enjoying reading/listening to this series!
Another great installment! I'm really enjoying reading/listening to this series!
September 19, 2012
The Immortal Guardians is a series that you really need to read in order. Dianne does a little rehashing on key points as refreshers so you’ll easily remember some of the details from the previous two books. Bastien started as in the first book Darkness Dawns a man who thought he was a vampire. He is hell bent on getting revenge against the Immortal’s who he believed killed his sister. He is now within the network of immortals that are fighting the vampires and a new unforeseen foe.
Bastien may be one of the special gifted immortals, but he still feels like an outsider. His attitude towards his fellow immortals leaves him constantly at odds with them. He has been with them for two years and remains the black sheep. This is all around everyone’s fault. His life among the vampires has him keeping himself on the outside. His lack of trust in people does not allow for them to see who he really is. (I absolutely loved his meltdown when he threw certain things at the bus!)
Melanie is one of the few people who don’t harbor any animosity towards Bastien. She in fact is infatuated with him. The moment she finds that he shares the attracted with her leaves her with no choice but to pursue him. I loved the fact that every time he tries to push her away with the I’m not good enough for you excuse she not so subtly reminds him that she wants him, he wants her and that is all that matters.
The fight scenes (yes, a couple of big battles!) were intense, shocking, and amazing. They were overflowing with tons of kick ass. Readers got to see past books couples in the mix of the fights. We also got to learn more about the characters who have not gotten their own books.
I found myself giggling a lot with this book. I don’t remember the others being quite this humorous. Bastien gives his fellow immortals hell, and they all dish it right back at him. The quick wit and snark also come from the seconds as well. Phantom Shadows quickly became my favorite of the series thus far. I love this series and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. The surprise for one of the characters at the very end was an excellent addition and I’m looking forward to seeing where that goes.
Bastien may be one of the special gifted immortals, but he still feels like an outsider. His attitude towards his fellow immortals leaves him constantly at odds with them. He has been with them for two years and remains the black sheep. This is all around everyone’s fault. His life among the vampires has him keeping himself on the outside. His lack of trust in people does not allow for them to see who he really is. (I absolutely loved his meltdown when he threw certain things at the bus!)
Melanie is one of the few people who don’t harbor any animosity towards Bastien. She in fact is infatuated with him. The moment she finds that he shares the attracted with her leaves her with no choice but to pursue him. I loved the fact that every time he tries to push her away with the I’m not good enough for you excuse she not so subtly reminds him that she wants him, he wants her and that is all that matters.
The fight scenes (yes, a couple of big battles!) were intense, shocking, and amazing. They were overflowing with tons of kick ass. Readers got to see past books couples in the mix of the fights. We also got to learn more about the characters who have not gotten their own books.
I found myself giggling a lot with this book. I don’t remember the others being quite this humorous. Bastien gives his fellow immortals hell, and they all dish it right back at him. The quick wit and snark also come from the seconds as well. Phantom Shadows quickly became my favorite of the series thus far. I love this series and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. The surprise for one of the characters at the very end was an excellent addition and I’m looking forward to seeing where that goes.
February 19, 2018
Phantom Shadows is the story of Sebastien Newcombe. He is the reforming villain from Darkness Dawns. Bastien fought and even killed an Immortal before he realized he was one. Shunned by nearly every Immortal and mortal in the Guardians compound, Sebastien faces a difficult road and he chooses to face it alone.
Dr. Melanie Lipton is struggling to find a cure for the madness that eventually attacks all vampires. She befriends the vampires in her care and has always been kind to Bastien. Bastien is attracted to Dr. Lipton but never wants to put another through the ridicule he faces as an outcast. Melanie sees the good qualities in Bastien and wants to pursue the magnetism between them.
A threat from the human group that held and tortured Ami is uncovered. Melanie is mortally injured by this group and Bastien’s control slips, causing a blood bath. Contacts are going missing, every Immortal is now a target of an unknown enemy that possesses a tranquilizer that can slow or even knock out an Immortal. The situation is direr and it causes Sebastien to propose a radical and controversial tactic.
I found Phantom Shadows an action packed page turner. The characters we fell in love with in the first 2 installments of this series all have just the right amount of time to make their presences known.
Dianne Duvall is astonishing; she twists and turns the villain into the hero. He is scarred and damaged but she makes him lovable and caring even though he hides behind sarcasm.
Melanie is a strong heroin that holds her own even though she is human. She befriends the vampires without prejudice and is a true friend to all those around her.
The ending, in Duvall fashion, leaves us all wanting more! Please write fast, I need to know what happens next.
Dr. Melanie Lipton is struggling to find a cure for the madness that eventually attacks all vampires. She befriends the vampires in her care and has always been kind to Bastien. Bastien is attracted to Dr. Lipton but never wants to put another through the ridicule he faces as an outcast. Melanie sees the good qualities in Bastien and wants to pursue the magnetism between them.
A threat from the human group that held and tortured Ami is uncovered. Melanie is mortally injured by this group and Bastien’s control slips, causing a blood bath. Contacts are going missing, every Immortal is now a target of an unknown enemy that possesses a tranquilizer that can slow or even knock out an Immortal. The situation is direr and it causes Sebastien to propose a radical and controversial tactic.
I found Phantom Shadows an action packed page turner. The characters we fell in love with in the first 2 installments of this series all have just the right amount of time to make their presences known.
Dianne Duvall is astonishing; she twists and turns the villain into the hero. He is scarred and damaged but she makes him lovable and caring even though he hides behind sarcasm.
Melanie is a strong heroin that holds her own even though she is human. She befriends the vampires without prejudice and is a true friend to all those around her.
The ending, in Duvall fashion, leaves us all wanting more! Please write fast, I need to know what happens next.
May 14, 2026
4.5 stars: I do appreciate characters like Bastien, I knew I wanted to see his and Melanie's story for sure. He is the black ship of the Immortal Guardian's Community, broody, unapologetic and he does appear to be unaffected by the fact that most regard him as an enemy. Despite most Immortals not appreciating the fact that Bastien is still breathing, he seems to have found his place in their world. The attraction between him and Dr. Lipton has been developing over time, and despite the MMCs hesitancy to pursue anything with the leading lady, Melanie managed to bring out the best in him. I loved these two together, the care and devotion was evident.
All characters appeal to me here, so I do wonder what their actual individual backstories are. There are slight glimpses into them, so I do hope that each of their stories continues to be as enjoyable as the two I have read so far.
I wonder what the next challenge for the Immortals shall be, the series has been great so far, really nice balance between plot, character complexity and some mystery that still surrounds this captivating world. Will be reading another book in the series for sure.
All characters appeal to me here, so I do wonder what their actual individual backstories are. There are slight glimpses into them, so I do hope that each of their stories continues to be as enjoyable as the two I have read so far.
I wonder what the next challenge for the Immortals shall be, the series has been great so far, really nice balance between plot, character complexity and some mystery that still surrounds this captivating world. Will be reading another book in the series for sure.
August 13, 2019
Phantom Shadows is the third book in the Immortal Guardian series and it took me on one heck of a ride. Riddled with action, suspense, romance and humour it kept me entertained from start to finish.
Phantom Shadows tells Bastien and Melanie’s story. The author introduced them at the start of the series, but I never envisioned them as a couple.
Bastien’s integration into the Immortal Guardians group was not a smooth one. When I first met him, he was on a mission to destroy the Immortal Guardians, as he believed they were evil. He lived for two centuries believing he was a vampire. Can you imagine his surprise when he discovered he was just like the beings he hunted?
He may be in the group, but he did not feel like he belonged. The majority of the members did not trust him and wanted to see him dead. Although he did not make it easy for them to trust him, with his abrasive and anti-social behaviour. Thankfully, the head of the group believed he could be redeemed and in the end he showed he deserved to be a member of the Immortal Guardians.
Bastien’s character was complex; there were many layers to him. I would not consider him a bad person, but misguided. He had a huge heart and a great capacity to love.
Dr. Melanie Lipton was an interesting character. She appeared in the previous installments, but she failed to make an impression until now. She saw the good in Bastien from outset. I admired her for her strength, intelligence, and forthrightness. She wanted to be with Bastien and she was not afraid to let him know it. She proved a worthy partner in the way she had his back.
I enjoyed hanging out with the couples from the previous installments. I also had a good time reuniting with the other members of the group. New characters were introduced and old enemies destroyed, which made me wonder what direction the series will take in the upcoming installments.
I loved the romance between Bastien and Melanie. It felt real, and I loved the pace at which it developed.
The action and suspense had me on the edge of my seat. The fight scenes were intense and riveting. There were some interesting outcomes. The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud quite a few times.
Narration
Once again, Kristen Potter has done an awesome narration. She did a great job with the variety of characters, both male and female. I enjoyed her pacing and tone for each scene.
Conclusion / Recommendation
Overall, an awesome listen and a great addition to the series. Highly recommend for fans of paranormal romance/urban fantasy
May 17, 2013
Uh, yeah. With three chapters left i'm soooo over this book. I loved Bastien and was really looking forward to his story but this is just not what i expected. I wanted more for and from him, and i'm just not a fan of the woman being the aggressor, at least not the whole dang time. =D
April 15, 2014
4.5 Stars!
Didn’t think I’d like this one as much as I did. I wasn’t necessarily a big fan of Sebastian (he’s the black sheep of the immortal family) and Melanie hasn’t played a big role in the previous books. Having said that, Bastian totally grew on me! Fell in love with both him and Melanie. They’re a great PNR pairing.
In addition to the continuing plot twists in the overall story (again I was completely surprised…hand clapping for Ms. Duvall), I love the dialogue between the characters. Some of the scenes had me laughing out loud!
Kudos to Ms. Duvall for hooking me into her story. Love this paranormal romance series.
Didn’t think I’d like this one as much as I did. I wasn’t necessarily a big fan of Sebastian (he’s the black sheep of the immortal family) and Melanie hasn’t played a big role in the previous books. Having said that, Bastian totally grew on me! Fell in love with both him and Melanie. They’re a great PNR pairing.
In addition to the continuing plot twists in the overall story (again I was completely surprised…hand clapping for Ms. Duvall), I love the dialogue between the characters. Some of the scenes had me laughing out loud!
Kudos to Ms. Duvall for hooking me into her story. Love this paranormal romance series.
May 18, 2016
3.5 I liked this story more than I expected to
I liked this book, the heroes were unexpected and I loved the female character (as you may know by now, I love strong, sarcastic characters).
The story was fun and I enjoyed the plot although, true, there was nothing unexpected. Still, it was a fun book to try out :D
I liked this book, the heroes were unexpected and I loved the female character (as you may know by now, I love strong, sarcastic characters).
The story was fun and I enjoyed the plot although, true, there was nothing unexpected. Still, it was a fun book to try out :D
August 25, 2019
4.5-5 stars
Another great book from a great series! I have to say that IMO, Dianne has knocked one out of the park with this series. So far I love the characters, the storylines are interesting and engaging in a way that keeps me wanting more and the quality of the stories has been maintained as the series continues!
Melanie is a doctor at the Network (the human network that helps the Immortals). She works with the Vampires they have at their facilities, trying to work with them to keep the madness to overtake them and trying to find a cure for the virus that transforms them. She first met Sebastian under less than ideal circumstances but felt an attraction to him regardless.
Sebastian was originally introduced in Book #1 Darkness Dawns as the bad guy. It ends up he's an Immortal that was mis-led, he thought he was a Vampire and had a revenge plot against the Immortals. After 200 years, Sebastian finds everything he believed was a lie and has to face trying to live life as an Immortal among other Immortals who hate his for his past. He doesn't have an easy time of it as every move he makes and every thing he says is scrutinized for fault. Sebastian, being a smart ass, tends to let his mouth run away with him (I think as a defense mechanism) and so doesn't make friends easily. Sebastian feels an attraction to Melanie but holds back because he fears association with him will cause her problems with her job (since Melanie's boss is one of the people that doesn't like him).
Sebastian and Melanie meet multiple times while she tends to the Vampire recruits and Sebastian visits them (they used to be part of Sebastian's army from book #1). Things don't really begin for them until trouble starts showing up in the form of a mercenary organization that seems intent on capturing both Vampires and Immortals for examination and profit (think super-soldiers). Sebastian tries to recruit help from the Vampires while the Immortals try to keep both Immortals and Vampires out of the clutches of the mercenaries. During this time, Melanie and Sebastian are thrown together a few times and it becomes apparent that the attraction between them in mutual but Sebastian is determined to stay away from Melanie because being associated with him would soil her reputation and cause her troubles. Melanie doesn't listen and pushes past Sebastian's feeble resistance, knowing they'll both be happier together. Melanie is pretty kick ass and doesn't let people tell her who she can and can't be with. She fights for it, even if she has to fight Sebastian. Fortunately, she doesn't have to fight too hard before he gives in.
While things are starting to go well between Sebastian and Melanie, the action plot continues to heat up. Just when they think they've had some success, it ends up bringing about an attack on the Immortal , the likes if which they haven't seen for a long, long time. There are losses but they manage to beat back the enemy and pull things out. Melanie is almost killed and Sebastian has to go to some lengths to help her come out of it (and better then she would have otherwise). In the end, the mercenaries seem to have been dealt with and things settle down. Melanie and Sebastian settle in to their HEA (and Sebastian is even on his way to being more accepted by the other Immortals) which I was very happy with.
This was such a great story. I love the heroes of this series but I have to say that so far, I've really loved all the heroines as well and sometimes that's hard to come by. The heroines of this series are all smart, courageous women and Melanie was just another example of this. I love this series and can't wait to see what comes next. This is actually a reread of this book but I found it just as great the second time around. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up!
* note - I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator did a great job.
8/24/15 - I reread this before the release of #s 5.5 & 6. I still love this series and this book. Melanie is a great heroine and Sebastian is such a misunderstood hero. I was so happy that he found happiness with Melanie. :D
Another great book from a great series! I have to say that IMO, Dianne has knocked one out of the park with this series. So far I love the characters, the storylines are interesting and engaging in a way that keeps me wanting more and the quality of the stories has been maintained as the series continues!
Melanie is a doctor at the Network (the human network that helps the Immortals). She works with the Vampires they have at their facilities, trying to work with them to keep the madness to overtake them and trying to find a cure for the virus that transforms them. She first met Sebastian under less than ideal circumstances but felt an attraction to him regardless.
Sebastian was originally introduced in Book #1 Darkness Dawns as the bad guy. It ends up he's an Immortal that was mis-led, he thought he was a Vampire and had a revenge plot against the Immortals. After 200 years, Sebastian finds everything he believed was a lie and has to face trying to live life as an Immortal among other Immortals who hate his for his past. He doesn't have an easy time of it as every move he makes and every thing he says is scrutinized for fault. Sebastian, being a smart ass, tends to let his mouth run away with him (I think as a defense mechanism) and so doesn't make friends easily. Sebastian feels an attraction to Melanie but holds back because he fears association with him will cause her problems with her job (since Melanie's boss is one of the people that doesn't like him).
Sebastian and Melanie meet multiple times while she tends to the Vampire recruits and Sebastian visits them (they used to be part of Sebastian's army from book #1). Things don't really begin for them until trouble starts showing up in the form of a mercenary organization that seems intent on capturing both Vampires and Immortals for examination and profit (think super-soldiers). Sebastian tries to recruit help from the Vampires while the Immortals try to keep both Immortals and Vampires out of the clutches of the mercenaries. During this time, Melanie and Sebastian are thrown together a few times and it becomes apparent that the attraction between them in mutual but Sebastian is determined to stay away from Melanie because being associated with him would soil her reputation and cause her troubles. Melanie doesn't listen and pushes past Sebastian's feeble resistance, knowing they'll both be happier together. Melanie is pretty kick ass and doesn't let people tell her who she can and can't be with. She fights for it, even if she has to fight Sebastian. Fortunately, she doesn't have to fight too hard before he gives in.
While things are starting to go well between Sebastian and Melanie, the action plot continues to heat up. Just when they think they've had some success, it ends up bringing about an attack on the Immortal , the likes if which they haven't seen for a long, long time. There are losses but they manage to beat back the enemy and pull things out. Melanie is almost killed and Sebastian has to go to some lengths to help her come out of it (and better then she would have otherwise). In the end, the mercenaries seem to have been dealt with and things settle down. Melanie and Sebastian settle in to their HEA (and Sebastian is even on his way to being more accepted by the other Immortals) which I was very happy with.
This was such a great story. I love the heroes of this series but I have to say that so far, I've really loved all the heroines as well and sometimes that's hard to come by. The heroines of this series are all smart, courageous women and Melanie was just another example of this. I love this series and can't wait to see what comes next. This is actually a reread of this book but I found it just as great the second time around. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up!
* note - I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator did a great job.
8/24/15 - I reread this before the release of #s 5.5 & 6. I still love this series and this book. Melanie is a great heroine and Sebastian is such a misunderstood hero. I was so happy that he found happiness with Melanie. :D
May 14, 2013
Oh la la, not sure I can wait for the next one. Review to come.
Quick review:
Cover: Yum
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: HOT HOT HOT
Thumbs Up: 5
Overall: I was left wanting more
Characters: Well Written
Plot: There is war and no one is safe
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Sebastian
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
Okay, it’s been a while since I read this series. I spent the first several chapters trying to reacquaint myself with the series. Still this book was on the move. It may seem fast for this romance to blossom but 2 years have passed in book world since the last.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
Kristen Potter does an excellent job with narration. I enjoyed the series very much. She did a really good job with all the accents.
Quick review:
Cover: Yum
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: HOT HOT HOT
Thumbs Up: 5
Overall: I was left wanting more
Characters: Well Written
Plot: There is war and no one is safe
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Sebastian
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
Okay, it’s been a while since I read this series. I spent the first several chapters trying to reacquaint myself with the series. Still this book was on the move. It may seem fast for this romance to blossom but 2 years have passed in book world since the last.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
Kristen Potter does an excellent job with narration. I enjoyed the series very much. She did a really good job with all the accents.
June 25, 2013
This book felt a lot long than the prior books for some reason. I knew there was more to Bastien than his sarcastic remarks and "bad attitude" but he was still annoying. He could have been more understanding as to why people hate him, after all, he spent over a century hunting Roland and building an army of vampires. Surely one can get why Roland and his friends hate his guts, but nope! Bastien and his lady friend Melanie were acting like the immortals should let bygones be bygones!
Overall, the book was written in the same vein as the prior books. It was entertaining, but I am not sure where the author is going with the series. I hope the next book belongs to Richard (Reshard) because I like him a lot.
Overall, the book was written in the same vein as the prior books. It was entertaining, but I am not sure where the author is going with the series. I hope the next book belongs to Richard (Reshard) because I like him a lot.
October 14, 2021
For me this was the best book of this series so far. I love a villain turned "good" story and Bastian couldn't live up to his name had he tried harder. And the heroine was great, seeing the good in him when everyone else only saw him for his "mistakes".
March 1, 2024
Audiobook, 4 Stars!
June 11, 2018
Dianne Duvall has created an intriguing paranormal world with alluring romances in her Immortal Guardian series that is heightened with its newest release, Phantom Shadows.
Sebastien Newcombe use to fight against the Immortals with his army of Vampires, now he fights alongside them but no one fully trusts him. And why should they when he killed one of their own? Bastien doesn’t seek acceptance though, or so he tells himself. But when Dr. Melanie Lipton enters the picture and ignites feelings inside him that he hasn’t felt in centuries, Bastien can’t help but worry how others will react to their relationship. So Bastien denies his attraction to the Network’s beautiful doctor and buries his feelings. But Melanie isn’t going to make it easy for him. She’s seen through Bastien’s ‘I don’t give a shit,’ attitude since their first meeting and has been infatuated with the Immortal from the get-go. And now that Melanie knows that her feelings are returned, she isn’t going to accept the ‘You’re too good for me,’ line that Bastien is trying to feed her. Can Melanie convince Bastien that he is more than enough for her or will the danger that he inadvertently exposures her to push him away for good?
We were first introduced to Bastien in the first book of the series, Darkness Dawns. Believing that he was a vampire and hell-bent on revenge for the death of his sister, Bastien led a vampire army against Roland and the rest of the Immortals. But when the truth about his existence was finally revealed to him, Bastien joined the Immortal Guardians. However, that doesn’t mean him or the rest of the Immortals are happy about their new camaraderie. This sweet and sexy bad boy has not just a chip on his shoulder but an entire cement block and I loved his story. There’s just something about the quintessential bad boy. Bastien has a tendency to rub others the wrong way with his sarcastic retorts and the vacillating dialogue between him, the other Immortals and even the Seconds added some fun, acerbic humor to the storyline. But even when Bastien was seemingly bad, he was still good, and Melanie is the only one who could see this. I thought that she made the perfect match for Bastien. Both stubborn but Melanie gives him a run for his money.
There was plenty of action and suspense in Phantom Shadows to keep readers turning the pages. The build up to the big, bad show down had me on the edge of my seat but when that final scene rolled around I found myself teetering on that edge because it felt a bit rushed. I think this was because the story-line jumped forward a few times and I would have liked for it to be expanded on more. A HUGE bomb (figuratively speaking) is dropped at the end for a previous couple in the series though and I am really looking forward to how this will affect them and the author Immortals as well as the Immortal Guardian’s world in general.
The Immortal Guardian series introduces a new breed of Vampires that you can’t help but be captivated by. The nuances and secrets in Duvall’s mythology make me eager to explore more alongside her Immortal and Vampire characters, and I can't wait for the next installment. I’m still waiting with bated breath for news on Seth’s book...
Sebastien Newcombe use to fight against the Immortals with his army of Vampires, now he fights alongside them but no one fully trusts him. And why should they when he killed one of their own? Bastien doesn’t seek acceptance though, or so he tells himself. But when Dr. Melanie Lipton enters the picture and ignites feelings inside him that he hasn’t felt in centuries, Bastien can’t help but worry how others will react to their relationship. So Bastien denies his attraction to the Network’s beautiful doctor and buries his feelings. But Melanie isn’t going to make it easy for him. She’s seen through Bastien’s ‘I don’t give a shit,’ attitude since their first meeting and has been infatuated with the Immortal from the get-go. And now that Melanie knows that her feelings are returned, she isn’t going to accept the ‘You’re too good for me,’ line that Bastien is trying to feed her. Can Melanie convince Bastien that he is more than enough for her or will the danger that he inadvertently exposures her to push him away for good?
We were first introduced to Bastien in the first book of the series, Darkness Dawns. Believing that he was a vampire and hell-bent on revenge for the death of his sister, Bastien led a vampire army against Roland and the rest of the Immortals. But when the truth about his existence was finally revealed to him, Bastien joined the Immortal Guardians. However, that doesn’t mean him or the rest of the Immortals are happy about their new camaraderie. This sweet and sexy bad boy has not just a chip on his shoulder but an entire cement block and I loved his story. There’s just something about the quintessential bad boy. Bastien has a tendency to rub others the wrong way with his sarcastic retorts and the vacillating dialogue between him, the other Immortals and even the Seconds added some fun, acerbic humor to the storyline. But even when Bastien was seemingly bad, he was still good, and Melanie is the only one who could see this. I thought that she made the perfect match for Bastien. Both stubborn but Melanie gives him a run for his money.
There was plenty of action and suspense in Phantom Shadows to keep readers turning the pages. The build up to the big, bad show down had me on the edge of my seat but when that final scene rolled around I found myself teetering on that edge because it felt a bit rushed. I think this was because the story-line jumped forward a few times and I would have liked for it to be expanded on more. A HUGE bomb (figuratively speaking) is dropped at the end for a previous couple in the series though and I am really looking forward to how this will affect them and the author Immortals as well as the Immortal Guardian’s world in general.
The Immortal Guardian series introduces a new breed of Vampires that you can’t help but be captivated by. The nuances and secrets in Duvall’s mythology make me eager to explore more alongside her Immortal and Vampire characters, and I can't wait for the next installment. I’m still waiting with bated breath for news on Seth’s book...
September 29, 2012
I have truly enjoy the Immortal Guardian series. Dianne Duvall has created such a fabulous world where Gift Ones, lead by Seth and David, fight to save humans from the evil clutches of vampires and those that would use them as weapons to gain world domination. Each story demonstrates how living hundreds of years could put a slant on how a Gift One would view the world and the job they do to save it, until they find the one person who makes them whole.
Given Bastien's confusion over who he was and his role in the vampires being used as a weapon, I was truly looking forward to his and Melanie's story. And while Bastien lived up to my expectation as far as how he was fitting in (or not) with the other Gift Ones and their seconds or how he worked tirelessly with Melanie to save Joe and Curtis, the storyline involving Emrys, his plot to create Super Soldiers and the Immortal Guardians efforts to take him down seemed rushed,at times jumped around and then suddenly, it was over. I wanted to know if Ami got her revenge or if Seth, David or Marcus did it for her. But instead that part of the book jumped ahead one month to a completely different storyline. It left me wanting more (more blood, more body parts...I don't know, but just more).
Back to Bastien. I really, really liked him. No matter how he ended up where he was, in his heart he was doing what he thought was right. Even when he thought he was a vampire, he took a higher road and in his warped sense of justice had his vampires taking out criminals rather than stalking innocent humans. He really was a man with a huge heart who needed a woman who could see past his misguided deeds to who he fundamentally was. Melanie saw that from the very beginning and was able to draw Bastien out of his shell and be the fun loving person he probably would have been had things not gone wrong hundreds of years before.
Overall, a solid installment in the Guardian series. I'm looking forward to see what the newest development with Ami and Marcus will mean for the Guardians and who exactly will be there next foe.
Given Bastien's confusion over who he was and his role in the vampires being used as a weapon, I was truly looking forward to his and Melanie's story. And while Bastien lived up to my expectation as far as how he was fitting in (or not) with the other Gift Ones and their seconds or how he worked tirelessly with Melanie to save Joe and Curtis, the storyline involving Emrys, his plot to create Super Soldiers and the Immortal Guardians efforts to take him down seemed rushed,at times jumped around and then suddenly, it was over. I wanted to know if Ami got her revenge or if Seth, David or Marcus did it for her. But instead that part of the book jumped ahead one month to a completely different storyline. It left me wanting more (more blood, more body parts...I don't know, but just more).
Back to Bastien. I really, really liked him. No matter how he ended up where he was, in his heart he was doing what he thought was right. Even when he thought he was a vampire, he took a higher road and in his warped sense of justice had his vampires taking out criminals rather than stalking innocent humans. He really was a man with a huge heart who needed a woman who could see past his misguided deeds to who he fundamentally was. Melanie saw that from the very beginning and was able to draw Bastien out of his shell and be the fun loving person he probably would have been had things not gone wrong hundreds of years before.
Overall, a solid installment in the Guardian series. I'm looking forward to see what the newest development with Ami and Marcus will mean for the Guardians and who exactly will be there next foe.
September 6, 2023
While I do feel like many of the elements of this series are unoriginal, it's still readable.
This one at least doesn't spend energy beating me over the head with the organic, vegan, and/or environmentally friendly mindset, though I do kinda call bs about the meatless pot pie (can't imagine that taste buds that sensitive could stomach something that requires effort to make it edible - tofu). I'd also add that excessive soy isn't really good for you (messed my hormones up when I was a bit less...estrogen deficient).
:ahem
Sebastian has been an immortal for 2 centuries, but until 2 years ago (really? That much time has passed?) thought he was a vampire. He has a thing for the network Dr.
The good Dr, fortunately, is a gifted one. She has a thing for him.
Most everyone resents or outright dislikes Sebastian because of the circumstances behind his coming into the fold. His being a smartass doesn't help his cause.
And all around, the human mercenaries are trying to get their hands on a vampire or immortal and they wouldn't mind grabbing the alien either.
Good guys win, bad guys are hopefully extinguished (hopefully, because the leader was warned by another of his kind that he was fighting what amounts to a hydra, and wasn't that interesting), and the H/h become officially an item.
This one at least doesn't spend energy beating me over the head with the organic, vegan, and/or environmentally friendly mindset, though I do kinda call bs about the meatless pot pie (can't imagine that taste buds that sensitive could stomach something that requires effort to make it edible - tofu). I'd also add that excessive soy isn't really good for you (messed my hormones up when I was a bit less...estrogen deficient).
:ahem
Sebastian has been an immortal for 2 centuries, but until 2 years ago (really? That much time has passed?) thought he was a vampire. He has a thing for the network Dr.
The good Dr, fortunately, is a gifted one. She has a thing for him.
Most everyone resents or outright dislikes Sebastian because of the circumstances behind his coming into the fold. His being a smartass doesn't help his cause.
And all around, the human mercenaries are trying to get their hands on a vampire or immortal and they wouldn't mind grabbing the alien either.
Good guys win, bad guys are hopefully extinguished (hopefully, because the leader was warned by another of his kind that he was fighting what amounts to a hydra, and wasn't that interesting), and the H/h become officially an item.
August 3, 2015
4.5 Stars
This is another series that I have loved right from the very start and have eargerly awaited for this installment to be released! I fully appreciate that it takes time for an author to write a book that is of high quality and for it to be published, but I really wish the process was a lot quicker....Yet again I struggled in places with this one as I racked my brain to remember events or characters of the past. I know that at times we often groan about the amount of background information an author provides (especially if we are reading a series back-to-back) but I do think a little bit of re-capping here and there would have been better....This is strictly my personal opinion and should not be held against the book/author. If the truth be known, if I read all 3 books again back-to-back I would probably feel a lot differently and give it the full 5 stars!
Haven't got the time for a full review but will hopefully get to it soon.
This is another series that I have loved right from the very start and have eargerly awaited for this installment to be released! I fully appreciate that it takes time for an author to write a book that is of high quality and for it to be published, but I really wish the process was a lot quicker....Yet again I struggled in places with this one as I racked my brain to remember events or characters of the past. I know that at times we often groan about the amount of background information an author provides (especially if we are reading a series back-to-back) but I do think a little bit of re-capping here and there would have been better....This is strictly my personal opinion and should not be held against the book/author. If the truth be known, if I read all 3 books again back-to-back I would probably feel a lot differently and give it the full 5 stars!
Haven't got the time for a full review but will hopefully get to it soon.
March 4, 2017
I was so looking forward to Bastien's story and, while it's not bad and the writing overall is improving, I think I'm done with the series for now. I don't get why Ami is so important and central. The peripheral characters are great but, after this one, I can't get my hopes up about their stories. Bastien as a character worked because of his fringe status. I'm not saying he isn't allowed to have friends or gain acceptance but at multiple points in this, they're practically holding hands and singing kumbaya without sufficient circumstantial changes. For all that the heroines are bad ass, they're basically the same person - including magical unicorn Ami. Seth never loses his crazy temper, so rare it's terrifying, but he's done it in every book and multiple times. Sigh.
October 5, 2014
It's so hard to properly express my feelings on this series. I enjoy reading them. I can put the book down here and there but still have that nagging like I want to know what will happen next. I think Bastien is my favorite immortal by far! Review to come! Eventually! :D
April 27, 2016
This is Sebastian's story, he is the bad boy in the group!
He is a very interesting guy who use to fight the immortal because a big misunderstanding.
I kind of feeling sorry for him and love his 'don't care' attitude but he is so sweet to his very understanding girl:)
Still multi POV, but since the story continuing from the earlier books, all good!:)
*off to the next book*
He is a very interesting guy who use to fight the immortal because a big misunderstanding.
I kind of feeling sorry for him and love his 'don't care' attitude but he is so sweet to his very understanding girl:)
Still multi POV, but since the story continuing from the earlier books, all good!:)
*off to the next book*
October 31, 2012
We need more!!!! 2013 is too long to wait!
May 23, 2016
In solchen Reihen stehe ich ja immer auf die besonders schweren Fälle. <3
Fand Bastien/Melanie extrem süß zusammen.
Hoffe es wird mal ein neuer Band übersetzt.
Fand Bastien/Melanie extrem süß zusammen.
Hoffe es wird mal ein neuer Band übersetzt.
May 21, 2024
A reformed villain as the MMC
In this paranormal-romance (PR) series, there are two types of vampires who have been infected with the vampire virus, the bad vampires and the good vampires. The former are simply referred to as, "vampires." The latter are always referred to as Immortal Guardians (IG), and the IGs adamantly declare that they are not vampires, even though they are. None of the books in this series stand alone. They only fully make sense if you read them in sequential order.
It is several weeks since the events at the end of Night Reigns (NR), which is Book 2 of the IG series. Marcus and Ami, the MMC and FMC of NR, have married. For the past two years, Sebastian, who is the MMC of this novel and formerly the villain from Book 1, Darkness Dawns (DD), has been trained by Seth (the magically all-powerful big boss of the IGs) and David (Seth's almost-as-powerful second-in-command) in the use of a variety of weapons, as well as hand-to-hand combat. Seth has recently cleared Sebastian to, as all other IGs do, go out on nightly missions to eliminate vampires, with Richart (the MMC of Book 3.5, In Still Darkness) acting as his behavioral monitor and temporary Second. (For an explanation of what a Second is, see my review of NR.)
Sebastian is a gorgeous, ripped IG who looks like he is in his twenties. He was a Gifted One (GO) before he was involuntarily infected with the vampire virus 200 years ago. It is the mysteriously, inhumanly different DNA of the GO that prevents them from being transformed into a bad vampire, instead becoming a good-vampire IG. Sebastian's GO paranormal ability is that he is an empath, who can accurately sense the emotions of others when he touches them.
The way in which Sebastian became a villain in DD is that, inexplicably, Seth overlooked Sebastian when he was transformed into an IG, a supernatural glitch that we are informed has never happened before or since, over the course of thousands of years. Other than the case of Sebastian, Seth has always mystically felt it whenever a GO is born, an IG is created, or a GO or IG dies. As a result, due to this tragic anomaly in Seth's omniscience, for two centuries straight, Sebastian firmly believed he was a vampire, and took it as his personal mission to do everything possible to protect and defend vampires. He did eventually wake up to the fact that the vampire virus sooner or later turned all the vampires around him, with himself as a presumably obvious exception, into insane serial killers. But he kept vainly trying to slow down the process in the vampires he had taken under his wing. His main technique for accomplishing this goal was to prevent them from killing innocent humans as the source of the blood they needed to survive by tracking down pedophiles and allowing his vampires to drain them. There is no mention in DD or this novel as to whether Sebastian periodically euthanized the criminally insane vampires in his care or just left that up to the IG. Because Sebastian definitely knew from the start of his IG existence, as a presumed vampire, that there is such a thing as IGs, since his maker, who had been his brother-in-law during his human existence, told him about them. Sebastian saw them as the enemy, because they spend their lives slaughtering what he assumed were his fellow vampires.
During the same two centuries Sebastian was caring for vampires, he had an extremely important secondary focus--tracking down and destroying Roland, the MMC of DD, because his maker thoroughly convinced Sebastian that Roland had murdered Sebastian's beloved sister, when in fact it was the maker, her husband, who murdered her. Even though Sebastian also considered the IG in general his enemy, the only time he killed a single one of them in over 200 years was because that particular IG forced his hand by attacking him, and it was kill or be killed. He also never harmed a human being in all of those years, other than acting as accessory to the murders of the pedophiles he urged his underling vampires to slaughter. His so-called "army" against the IG, which is described in DD as some kind of huge threat, was simply a house full of 50 pathetic vampires whom Sebastian was trying to rescue, like stray dogs. All of this is to say that Sebastian was not much of a villain at all, which is, of course, essential for his being plausibly rehabilitated into an acceptable, noble MMC in this novel.
Melanie is a 29-year-old GO. Because of her special GO genetics, if she chooses, she can be turned into an IG, as Sarah is in DD, via purposeful infection with the vampire virus by an IG. Because she planned to become a doctor, as a special privilege of being a GO, Melanie was recruited by Chris Reordon, the head of the US East Coast branch of the IG Network, when she was still in college. He knew about her due to the fact that there is a formal record within the IG Network of every single GO in the world, because Seth has always kept track of them, and most recently turned over those records to Chris. Melanie willingly joined the Network when Chris said that the Network (whose source of funds is never explained in any of these novels) would pay off all her current student loans and finance her medical school tuition as well. Melanie came to work for the Network full time as soon as she completed med school, without bothering to pursue an internship. She works as a medical researcher in the sophisticated lab at the Network headquarters in North Carolina (the state which is the setting for every book in this series). She is searching for ways to mitigate the damage of the vampire virus to the brains of ordinary humans before it can turn them into criminally insane serial killers. Given that saving the bad vampires has also been Sebastian's greatest desire, he immediately clicks with Melanie intellectually as well as physically. During this story, Melanie also creates an antidote to a dangerous tranquilizer developed by a mysterious, well-funded, paramilitary organization, which is the Big Bad of this novel. A single dart of the tranquilizer knocks a vampire unconscious, and two darts can knock out an IG, putting them totally at the mercy of the person firing the tranquilizer gun. The invention of this drug is utterly shocking to Seth and David and all of the IGs, because IGs have never before been affected by drugs of any kind.
The central plot of this PR is, of course, the romance between Sebastian and Melanie. The secondary plot is an all-out attack on the Network headquarters by an army of mercenaries. This time around, the enemy "army" is an actual army, consisting of hundreds of trained fighters who utilize sophisticated weapons of war, including every kind of gun and knife, grenades, shoulder-fired missiles, helicopters and tanks.
I checked out this whole series in audiobook format from Hoopla. I am currently going through a dry period in which I am having trouble finding romance novels to read that, as an enormously picky, jaded reader, I can fully enjoy. It's the main reason why I keep plodding forward with this series, even though the implausible, magical world-building is too much like comic-book superheroes for my taste. Because of that, I frequently have trouble suspending disbelief.
The dynamic between the MMCs and FMCs is basically the same in every book I have read so far: a magically powerful, gorgeous, ripped MMC falls for an FMC who is vastly less magically powerful than he is. In the first four books, the power disparity is effectively, and importantly, wiped out by the end of the book, in order to create a co-equal partnership as the HEA. But by the time the author provides a romance for godlike Seth and his "cousin," Zach, there is no magical intervention available that could possibly, given the rules of the magic in this paranormal world, create a co-equal relationship for their HEA.
This series reiterates in all five books I've read so far, including this one, that over the course of thousands of years, no GO had ever been voluntarily transformed into an IG until the FMC of DD, Sarah, and the FMC of this novel, Melanie. That claim makes absolutely no sense to me, because immortality and a state of eternal youth are regarded by the vast majority of fans of fantasy, including myself, as hugely desirable attributes. So it seems counterintuitive that any MC would not want them.
Disappointingly, this series seems to be an unfortunate throwback to the approach to a vampire state when authors first started writing vampire romance back in the '90s. In that era, every MMC vampire (the vampire was always the MMC, not the FMC) miserably decried his immortal state, wishing he could be human again. (This disgruntled group also includes Edward of the YA Twilight series.) The IG vampires in this series are almost as whiny as the '90s vampires. It is constantly asserted, in every book I've read so far, that immortality as an IG is a lonely, tragically alienated life, filled with nothing but endlessly slaughtering bad vampires for hundreds of years (or even thousands of years in the case of Seth and Zach), until True Love, at long, long last, shows up on their doorstep and, overnight, cures centuries (or millennia) of depression.
In terms of the action-adventure portion of this novel, and all of the first five novels I've read so far, there is one huge, main flaw:
By presenting Seth and David (and later Zach) as virtually omnipotent gods, who can fly, teleport and, using telekinesis, simultaneously strike dead dozens of people or blow up war machines and enemy strongholds, it logically follows that asking the IG to perpetually fight against bad vampires or, in the case of this story, take on a mercenary army, is ridiculously contrived. Because Seth and David (and later Zach) have the ability to destroy any and all bad guys on their own, without need for the involvement of the IGs, whom Seth claims to protectively adore. And if the IGs weren't forced to perpetually fight vampires, they might actually have some kind of a meaningful existence, which the reader could vicariously get some pleasure from experiencing.
In short, I have never run across a modern, PR series that makes eternal youth and immortality appear as unappealing as this one does. It defeats the whole purpose of the reader's experiencing this magical world. It's supposed to be fun, not a massive bummer.
In this paranormal-romance (PR) series, there are two types of vampires who have been infected with the vampire virus, the bad vampires and the good vampires. The former are simply referred to as, "vampires." The latter are always referred to as Immortal Guardians (IG), and the IGs adamantly declare that they are not vampires, even though they are. None of the books in this series stand alone. They only fully make sense if you read them in sequential order.
It is several weeks since the events at the end of Night Reigns (NR), which is Book 2 of the IG series. Marcus and Ami, the MMC and FMC of NR, have married. For the past two years, Sebastian, who is the MMC of this novel and formerly the villain from Book 1, Darkness Dawns (DD), has been trained by Seth (the magically all-powerful big boss of the IGs) and David (Seth's almost-as-powerful second-in-command) in the use of a variety of weapons, as well as hand-to-hand combat. Seth has recently cleared Sebastian to, as all other IGs do, go out on nightly missions to eliminate vampires, with Richart (the MMC of Book 3.5, In Still Darkness) acting as his behavioral monitor and temporary Second. (For an explanation of what a Second is, see my review of NR.)
Sebastian is a gorgeous, ripped IG who looks like he is in his twenties. He was a Gifted One (GO) before he was involuntarily infected with the vampire virus 200 years ago. It is the mysteriously, inhumanly different DNA of the GO that prevents them from being transformed into a bad vampire, instead becoming a good-vampire IG. Sebastian's GO paranormal ability is that he is an empath, who can accurately sense the emotions of others when he touches them.
The way in which Sebastian became a villain in DD is that, inexplicably, Seth overlooked Sebastian when he was transformed into an IG, a supernatural glitch that we are informed has never happened before or since, over the course of thousands of years. Other than the case of Sebastian, Seth has always mystically felt it whenever a GO is born, an IG is created, or a GO or IG dies. As a result, due to this tragic anomaly in Seth's omniscience, for two centuries straight, Sebastian firmly believed he was a vampire, and took it as his personal mission to do everything possible to protect and defend vampires. He did eventually wake up to the fact that the vampire virus sooner or later turned all the vampires around him, with himself as a presumably obvious exception, into insane serial killers. But he kept vainly trying to slow down the process in the vampires he had taken under his wing. His main technique for accomplishing this goal was to prevent them from killing innocent humans as the source of the blood they needed to survive by tracking down pedophiles and allowing his vampires to drain them. There is no mention in DD or this novel as to whether Sebastian periodically euthanized the criminally insane vampires in his care or just left that up to the IG. Because Sebastian definitely knew from the start of his IG existence, as a presumed vampire, that there is such a thing as IGs, since his maker, who had been his brother-in-law during his human existence, told him about them. Sebastian saw them as the enemy, because they spend their lives slaughtering what he assumed were his fellow vampires.
During the same two centuries Sebastian was caring for vampires, he had an extremely important secondary focus--tracking down and destroying Roland, the MMC of DD, because his maker thoroughly convinced Sebastian that Roland had murdered Sebastian's beloved sister, when in fact it was the maker, her husband, who murdered her. Even though Sebastian also considered the IG in general his enemy, the only time he killed a single one of them in over 200 years was because that particular IG forced his hand by attacking him, and it was kill or be killed. He also never harmed a human being in all of those years, other than acting as accessory to the murders of the pedophiles he urged his underling vampires to slaughter. His so-called "army" against the IG, which is described in DD as some kind of huge threat, was simply a house full of 50 pathetic vampires whom Sebastian was trying to rescue, like stray dogs. All of this is to say that Sebastian was not much of a villain at all, which is, of course, essential for his being plausibly rehabilitated into an acceptable, noble MMC in this novel.
Melanie is a 29-year-old GO. Because of her special GO genetics, if she chooses, she can be turned into an IG, as Sarah is in DD, via purposeful infection with the vampire virus by an IG. Because she planned to become a doctor, as a special privilege of being a GO, Melanie was recruited by Chris Reordon, the head of the US East Coast branch of the IG Network, when she was still in college. He knew about her due to the fact that there is a formal record within the IG Network of every single GO in the world, because Seth has always kept track of them, and most recently turned over those records to Chris. Melanie willingly joined the Network when Chris said that the Network (whose source of funds is never explained in any of these novels) would pay off all her current student loans and finance her medical school tuition as well. Melanie came to work for the Network full time as soon as she completed med school, without bothering to pursue an internship. She works as a medical researcher in the sophisticated lab at the Network headquarters in North Carolina (the state which is the setting for every book in this series). She is searching for ways to mitigate the damage of the vampire virus to the brains of ordinary humans before it can turn them into criminally insane serial killers. Given that saving the bad vampires has also been Sebastian's greatest desire, he immediately clicks with Melanie intellectually as well as physically. During this story, Melanie also creates an antidote to a dangerous tranquilizer developed by a mysterious, well-funded, paramilitary organization, which is the Big Bad of this novel. A single dart of the tranquilizer knocks a vampire unconscious, and two darts can knock out an IG, putting them totally at the mercy of the person firing the tranquilizer gun. The invention of this drug is utterly shocking to Seth and David and all of the IGs, because IGs have never before been affected by drugs of any kind.
The central plot of this PR is, of course, the romance between Sebastian and Melanie. The secondary plot is an all-out attack on the Network headquarters by an army of mercenaries. This time around, the enemy "army" is an actual army, consisting of hundreds of trained fighters who utilize sophisticated weapons of war, including every kind of gun and knife, grenades, shoulder-fired missiles, helicopters and tanks.
I checked out this whole series in audiobook format from Hoopla. I am currently going through a dry period in which I am having trouble finding romance novels to read that, as an enormously picky, jaded reader, I can fully enjoy. It's the main reason why I keep plodding forward with this series, even though the implausible, magical world-building is too much like comic-book superheroes for my taste. Because of that, I frequently have trouble suspending disbelief.
The dynamic between the MMCs and FMCs is basically the same in every book I have read so far: a magically powerful, gorgeous, ripped MMC falls for an FMC who is vastly less magically powerful than he is. In the first four books, the power disparity is effectively, and importantly, wiped out by the end of the book, in order to create a co-equal partnership as the HEA. But by the time the author provides a romance for godlike Seth and his "cousin," Zach, there is no magical intervention available that could possibly, given the rules of the magic in this paranormal world, create a co-equal relationship for their HEA.
This series reiterates in all five books I've read so far, including this one, that over the course of thousands of years, no GO had ever been voluntarily transformed into an IG until the FMC of DD, Sarah, and the FMC of this novel, Melanie. That claim makes absolutely no sense to me, because immortality and a state of eternal youth are regarded by the vast majority of fans of fantasy, including myself, as hugely desirable attributes. So it seems counterintuitive that any MC would not want them.
Disappointingly, this series seems to be an unfortunate throwback to the approach to a vampire state when authors first started writing vampire romance back in the '90s. In that era, every MMC vampire (the vampire was always the MMC, not the FMC) miserably decried his immortal state, wishing he could be human again. (This disgruntled group also includes Edward of the YA Twilight series.) The IG vampires in this series are almost as whiny as the '90s vampires. It is constantly asserted, in every book I've read so far, that immortality as an IG is a lonely, tragically alienated life, filled with nothing but endlessly slaughtering bad vampires for hundreds of years (or even thousands of years in the case of Seth and Zach), until True Love, at long, long last, shows up on their doorstep and, overnight, cures centuries (or millennia) of depression.
In terms of the action-adventure portion of this novel, and all of the first five novels I've read so far, there is one huge, main flaw:
By presenting Seth and David (and later Zach) as virtually omnipotent gods, who can fly, teleport and, using telekinesis, simultaneously strike dead dozens of people or blow up war machines and enemy strongholds, it logically follows that asking the IG to perpetually fight against bad vampires or, in the case of this story, take on a mercenary army, is ridiculously contrived. Because Seth and David (and later Zach) have the ability to destroy any and all bad guys on their own, without need for the involvement of the IGs, whom Seth claims to protectively adore. And if the IGs weren't forced to perpetually fight vampires, they might actually have some kind of a meaningful existence, which the reader could vicariously get some pleasure from experiencing.
In short, I have never run across a modern, PR series that makes eternal youth and immortality appear as unappealing as this one does. It defeats the whole purpose of the reader's experiencing this magical world. It's supposed to be fun, not a massive bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2015
This series just gets better and better! More action, a deeply intricate plot, kickass paranormal powers, fantastically funny banter and a romance between the snarky Immortal and a sassy heroine. What more could we ask for?
We all love it when the asshole falls in love, and Bastien is an asshole. Still battling with the bitterness of his past, he has major trust issues. He is ostracised by the majority of the Immortals due to his shady history and his more recent past as their enemy, and is an angry loner who, while still part of the team, pretty much does his own thing and doesn’t give a shit what anybody else thinks.
He may be totally badass, but he has a soft spot for his friends – even if they are vampires, and he is developing some pretty intense feelings for Dr Melanie Lipton, a human doctor employed by The Network to conduct research into vampires and Immortals. Melanie is awesome. Strong, intelligent, and feisty, she has been attracted to Bastien since the first moment she saw him, and she’s confident enough to let him know it.
As much as they want each other, Bastien resists her – trying to keep her away from his bad reputation and therefore saving her from the condemnation from their colleagues that he feels she would be subjected to for just being with him. But that doesn’t stop Melanie from pushing him, and the banter is sensational.
Bastien’s reluctance to start something with Melanie despite his strong feelings for her is actually really funny. We all know it’s going to happen, Melanie knows it’s going to happen, all of the other Immortals and vampires know it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of watching the fireworks between them and waiting for him to cave.
And when it happens – oh yeah, it happens. Hot and steamy, Bastien has some fantastic moves, and although there’s not as much sex in this book as there has been in the others, it didn’t bother me at all.
Once again, Duvall has given us a brilliantly functional romance. Yeah, it may take them a little while to get there, but once they do, it’s all on with no game playing, no conflict and no drama. Melanie is a fantastic match for the hard-headed Bastien, and he is beautifully protective over her, and when his playful, teasing, loving side comes out in their private times, it just melted me.
As always, the romance is mixed in with a whole heap of action. There’s a new bad guy to take down, and he is pure evil and has his very own squad of mercenaries which brings a whole new level of violence. The Immortals are also still battling vampires, as well as each other, and there is one EPIC scene which brings all of these elements together in an explosively exciting moment, and not everybody will make it out alive.
I’m loving these books more and more as I read on. I think it’s because I’m getting to know the characters more, they are interacting with each other more, the story is becoming more intricate as we learn everybody’s backstories, and everything is linking together beautifully. The group are becoming more of a family and the banter between them is fantastic!
Duvall has created a great paranormal world, and the complexities and fullness of her story seems to be getting stronger. There are some big twists in this book that are really going to impact the rest of the series, and I love the way that it’s all unfolding. And with a lot of questions remaining unanswered, I can’t wait for more.
4.5 stars.
We all love it when the asshole falls in love, and Bastien is an asshole. Still battling with the bitterness of his past, he has major trust issues. He is ostracised by the majority of the Immortals due to his shady history and his more recent past as their enemy, and is an angry loner who, while still part of the team, pretty much does his own thing and doesn’t give a shit what anybody else thinks.
“I’m at Fetzer Hall now and am about to sweep through the soldiers between us like a fucking tidal wave.”
“Damn it, we need some of those men left alive to—”
“All you’re getting are corpses. When you send the cleanup crew, send a fucking bus.”
He may be totally badass, but he has a soft spot for his friends – even if they are vampires, and he is developing some pretty intense feelings for Dr Melanie Lipton, a human doctor employed by The Network to conduct research into vampires and Immortals. Melanie is awesome. Strong, intelligent, and feisty, she has been attracted to Bastien since the first moment she saw him, and she’s confident enough to let him know it.
“I like you touching me, even though the cut is stinging like crazy.”
His eyes began to glow. “I thought we weren’t going to go there.”
“I’m a grown woman. I can go wherever I want to go.”
“Why would you want to go there?” His tone was pure puzzlement.
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly… “There’s just something about you,” she said finally, “that...lures me.”
As much as they want each other, Bastien resists her – trying to keep her away from his bad reputation and therefore saving her from the condemnation from their colleagues that he feels she would be subjected to for just being with him. But that doesn’t stop Melanie from pushing him, and the banter is sensational.
“About what happened ...”
Yep. She had figured he was obsessing over that. Poor guy. The immortals had really done a number on him, convincing him he was the evil monster they seemed to think him. Now he probably thought kissing her would taint her somehow. She was going to have to do something about that. She just needed a little time to decide what.
“I assume you mean the kiss?” she asked innocently.
“Yes.”
“The warm, wet, pulse-racing, make-me-want-to-strip-you-naked-and-rub-every-inch-of-my-body-against-yours kiss?”
His eyes flared, an involuntary reflection of his arousal. “That’s the one.”
“What about it?”
“It shouldn’t happen again.”
“You didn’t like it?” Okay, teasing him was mean, but she couldn’t resist.
“You know I did,” he admitted, voice deepening in a way that sent a sensual shiver through her. “If my eyes didn’t clue you in, I’m sure other body parts did.”
“Very impressively,” she agreed.
Bastien’s reluctance to start something with Melanie despite his strong feelings for her is actually really funny. We all know it’s going to happen, Melanie knows it’s going to happen, all of the other Immortals and vampires know it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of watching the fireworks between them and waiting for him to cave.
“I need you to not do that,” he said, voice low.
“Why?”
“Because every time you touch me I feel how much you want me and it makes me want you even more.”
Her blood heated. “I don’t have a problem with that,” she murmured.
Bastien groaned.
And when it happens – oh yeah, it happens. Hot and steamy, Bastien has some fantastic moves, and although there’s not as much sex in this book as there has been in the others, it didn’t bother me at all.
Once again, Duvall has given us a brilliantly functional romance. Yeah, it may take them a little while to get there, but once they do, it’s all on with no game playing, no conflict and no drama. Melanie is a fantastic match for the hard-headed Bastien, and he is beautifully protective over her, and when his playful, teasing, loving side comes out in their private times, it just melted me.
“I haven’t felt this way in a long time, Bastien.”
His smile slowly faded. “Nor have I.”
“I’m not going to refrain from exploring what’s happening between us because others may not approve. It’s too important.”
“He kissed her hard. “I don’t know what the hell you see in me, Melanie, but I am so glad you see it.”
As always, the romance is mixed in with a whole heap of action. There’s a new bad guy to take down, and he is pure evil and has his very own squad of mercenaries which brings a whole new level of violence. The Immortals are also still battling vampires, as well as each other, and there is one EPIC scene which brings all of these elements together in an explosively exciting moment, and not everybody will make it out alive.
I’m loving these books more and more as I read on. I think it’s because I’m getting to know the characters more, they are interacting with each other more, the story is becoming more intricate as we learn everybody’s backstories, and everything is linking together beautifully. The group are becoming more of a family and the banter between them is fantastic!
“I stole some of your lollipops.”
“Really. Well, if you’re in the mood to lick something . . .”
She laughed.
“We can hear you,” Seth called.
“So?” Marcus countered and kissed his wife again.
“So she’s like a daughter to me, jackass.”
“Yeah,” David seconded. “There’s a reason I poured thousands of dollars into soundproofing your bedroom.”
“Hmm.” Marcus sounded thoughtful. “I do believe your family is trying to tell me I should take you to bed.”
“That isn’t what I— oh screw it,” Seth muttered.
Duvall has created a great paranormal world, and the complexities and fullness of her story seems to be getting stronger. There are some big twists in this book that are really going to impact the rest of the series, and I love the way that it’s all unfolding. And with a lot of questions remaining unanswered, I can’t wait for more.
4.5 stars.
May 16, 2017
Excellent.. As was book 1, the day before yesterday, and book 2 yesterday..
I first read this around September 25th, 2013. The third in the Immortal Guardian series and I have to admit I liked it better than Kresley Coles’s Immortals After Dark series, of which I read the first 14 then stopped. There was just something more exciting about these books, better storylines, and the characters were so much more likable. But, that’s just my opinion.
AnyWHO, I Love, love, loved Sebastien and Melanie’s story. He was a jerk every time he opened his mouth and almost every other Guardian wanted him dead. You’ll have to read this book to find out why. His hatefulness was understandable. There were more battles with vampires and more battles with the mercenaries, of which, the Immortals kicked some ass every time. And Melanie almost died twice, until she had to be transformed. And the guy, Emrys, who had tortured Ami for 6 months, finally got what he deserved.
No matter which book I read I still love Seth and David the best. They are so awesome. No one knows what they are so that makes them more interesting.
There were a couple of explicit sex scenes in in this and the F-bomb was used 57 times.
As to the narration: Kirsten Potter is just incredible!
I first read this around September 25th, 2013. The third in the Immortal Guardian series and I have to admit I liked it better than Kresley Coles’s Immortals After Dark series, of which I read the first 14 then stopped. There was just something more exciting about these books, better storylines, and the characters were so much more likable. But, that’s just my opinion.
AnyWHO, I Love, love, loved Sebastien and Melanie’s story. He was a jerk every time he opened his mouth and almost every other Guardian wanted him dead. You’ll have to read this book to find out why. His hatefulness was understandable. There were more battles with vampires and more battles with the mercenaries, of which, the Immortals kicked some ass every time. And Melanie almost died twice, until she had to be transformed. And the guy, Emrys, who had tortured Ami for 6 months, finally got what he deserved.
No matter which book I read I still love Seth and David the best. They are so awesome. No one knows what they are so that makes them more interesting.
There were a couple of explicit sex scenes in in this and the F-bomb was used 57 times.
As to the narration: Kirsten Potter is just incredible!
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