What do you think?
Rate this book
The Protector Guild #7
Dark Before Dawn
The balance between good and evil is impossible to maintain when neither exist anymore...
We've been fed lies all of our lives, so now it's up to me and the rest of my team to uncover the truth.
But while my heart is pulling me in one direction, my mind and my duty to the world are tugging me in the opposite.
Don't miss the next installment of Max and her team's epic story
◆◆◆Dark Before Dawn is the 7th book in this series and will end on a cliffhanger. Max’s story is a slow-burn urban fantasy. She will end up with multiple partners. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue.◆◆◆
We've been fed lies all of our lives, so now it's up to me and the rest of my team to uncover the truth.
But while my heart is pulling me in one direction, my mind and my duty to the world are tugging me in the opposite.
Don't miss the next installment of Max and her team's epic story
◆◆◆Dark Before Dawn is the 7th book in this series and will end on a cliffhanger. Max’s story is a slow-burn urban fantasy. She will end up with multiple partners. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue.◆◆◆
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
845 people are currently reading
3079 people want to read
About the author
Gray Holborn
25 books351 followersHi! I'm Gray. I'm best known for my series, The Protector Guild - an 8-book completed series filled with all things angst and chaotic hijinks. I'm currently working on my second series, Order of Reapers, which is the follow up to The Protector Guild. At the moment, there are 10 books published in what I'm calling 'The Gray-verse.' Sounds ominous, right?
What can you expect from my stories?
First, you have to love a slow burn, angsty romance. I tend to get quite bored when my characters are happy and together, which is why I keep them in various stages of misery and yearning for as long as I can *que evil laugh.* Yes, my books are spicy, but they are far more focused on the plot of the story and character development (MUST LOVE INTERNAL CHARACTER MONOLOGUES OR I PROMISE YOU WILL HATE MY WRITING STYLE). Finally, both of my series focus on themes of and around the following: trauma, mental health, grief, community, found family, moral complexity, and dismantling oppressive systems (yes, yes, amongst the chaotic fun of a fantastical world and characters unabashedly pining for each other).
Sound like your jam? Great! Dive right in :D
As for me, when I'm not writing or reading or funneling entire seasons of TV into my brain in one night, I can be found hanging out with my cartoonish dog, staring at a wall for hours on end while I think through some tricky bit of character or plot arc, paddleboarding/kayaking alongside the local seals and sea lions (don't worry, I keep a respectful distance!), or pretending to enjoy camping. One day it will click for me. I hope.
What can you expect from my stories?
First, you have to love a slow burn, angsty romance. I tend to get quite bored when my characters are happy and together, which is why I keep them in various stages of misery and yearning for as long as I can *que evil laugh.* Yes, my books are spicy, but they are far more focused on the plot of the story and character development (MUST LOVE INTERNAL CHARACTER MONOLOGUES OR I PROMISE YOU WILL HATE MY WRITING STYLE). Finally, both of my series focus on themes of and around the following: trauma, mental health, grief, community, found family, moral complexity, and dismantling oppressive systems (yes, yes, amongst the chaotic fun of a fantastical world and characters unabashedly pining for each other).
Sound like your jam? Great! Dive right in :D
As for me, when I'm not writing or reading or funneling entire seasons of TV into my brain in one night, I can be found hanging out with my cartoonish dog, staring at a wall for hours on end while I think through some tricky bit of character or plot arc, paddleboarding/kayaking alongside the local seals and sea lions (don't worry, I keep a respectful distance!), or pretending to enjoy camping. One day it will click for me. I hope.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 14, 2023
This was a long-awaited release for me, and it was very good, although I have thoughts. Major spoilers ahead so proceed with caution.
I was happy to be reunited with these characters and the world. I generally find Max slightly underwhelming, but I don't dislike her. On the other hand, I really love Darius and Wade. I like Declan. Atlas was barely in this, but I like him. I still don't really care for or particularly like Eli. What's interesting about this is that I think this book is supposed to be Eli's swan song (so to say) or his redemption book because he got by far the most on-page-time with Max, however, I just really don't like him. He's so boring to me. There's nothing about him that makes him interesting despite the obvious effort that was put into him in this book. In the next book, I want more Atlas, Wade, Darius, and Declan (in that order) and less of Eli. Eli is just a lost cause for me at this point. Darius is so freaking funny - his chapters are always amazing. I love his psychotic internal monologue, and I love his relationships with Declan and Wade in this. I hope Darius and Atlas interact more in the next book.
I love Max's brother Ro, but I really needed him to go away in this book. In a reverse harem where there are 6 characters, we can't afford to lose this much page time to all of the hundreds of side characters in this (and this book just adds 1,000,000 more). We have picked up at least 5 new side characters in every book in this series, and it's just too much. When this book brought up Claude's girlfriend(I think?) who gave Max a huge hug, I was like ...who is this person again? Is this person from book 4?
Anyways, the ending of this was good, but it just took soooo long to get to. Around 70% into this book, I was thinking, "wow, literally nothing has happened in this book that hasn't already happened in another book." How many times are we going to go in circles and read about Max getting sucked into Hell, have the longest/most boring training montage/torture session ever, and then return "months later" and having an orgy?
Basically, just not enough happened in this book, and considering we are 7 books into this series, I am disappointed at how slow and cyclical this was. How many more books are there going to be because it seems to me like a war is just beginning, and judging by how slow it has taken us to get to the point of war (7 books, in case you forgot), I can't imagine how long the actual fucking war will take.
Anyways here's basically what happens:
I'm annoyed that Atlas wasn't rescued until . I just know that the entire next book is going to drag out Atlas's trauma the entire book too, and I just don't have it in me to read 400 pages of that. I know he was literally tortured, but we're 8 books into the series, I need more than trauma to happen. Additionally, my biggest issue with this series is that in every book, all of the characters are always separated for so long. I don't think we've ever had Max + her 5 bonds all together for more than like 1 chapter. This series is like the opposite of forced proximity :(
Also, no one was asking any questions about what happened with Atlas and Reza's bond - did it just not take? Also, Reza...I want her to die; I cannot believe this person is still in this series. I don't want a redemption arc, I want her gone lol
There were some pretty awesome other deaths of hated characters at the end though, which was fun. I loved the way those deaths were handled in the lab. Good karma.
Overall, this book felt very slow. Max is a bit boring and has a lot of internal monologue. Also, most of the events in this story already happened in earlier books. I really hope this story picks up. I don't think I can read another 200+ pages of pre-planning the war and then reading through Atlas's trauma and Eli's family drama and whatever other family stuff is going to come up. I want more relationship/romance content (I don't just mean sex; I mean like, 1 conversation that's not about the plot/their family tree) and I want more scenes where the 6 main characters are together (without Ro living on top of them too). I also want things to actually happen. No more side characters! There are too many! Lol
But yeah, I still love this series. It's pretty addicting.
I was happy to be reunited with these characters and the world. I generally find Max slightly underwhelming, but I don't dislike her. On the other hand, I really love Darius and Wade. I like Declan. Atlas was barely in this, but I like him. I still don't really care for or particularly like Eli. What's interesting about this is that I think this book is supposed to be Eli's swan song (so to say) or his redemption book because he got by far the most on-page-time with Max, however, I just really don't like him. He's so boring to me. There's nothing about him that makes him interesting despite the obvious effort that was put into him in this book. In the next book, I want more Atlas, Wade, Darius, and Declan (in that order) and less of Eli. Eli is just a lost cause for me at this point. Darius is so freaking funny - his chapters are always amazing. I love his psychotic internal monologue, and I love his relationships with Declan and Wade in this. I hope Darius and Atlas interact more in the next book.
I love Max's brother Ro, but I really needed him to go away in this book. In a reverse harem where there are 6 characters, we can't afford to lose this much page time to all of the hundreds of side characters in this (and this book just adds 1,000,000 more). We have picked up at least 5 new side characters in every book in this series, and it's just too much. When this book brought up Claude's girlfriend(I think?) who gave Max a huge hug, I was like ...who is this person again? Is this person from book 4?
Anyways, the ending of this was good, but it just took soooo long to get to. Around 70% into this book, I was thinking, "wow, literally nothing has happened in this book that hasn't already happened in another book." How many times are we going to go in circles and read about Max getting sucked into Hell, have the longest/most boring training montage/torture session ever, and then return "months later" and having an orgy?
Basically, just not enough happened in this book, and considering we are 7 books into this series, I am disappointed at how slow and cyclical this was. How many more books are there going to be because it seems to me like a war is just beginning, and judging by how slow it has taken us to get to the point of war (7 books, in case you forgot), I can't imagine how long the actual fucking war will take.
Anyways here's basically what happens:
I'm annoyed that Atlas wasn't rescued until . I just know that the entire next book is going to drag out Atlas's trauma the entire book too, and I just don't have it in me to read 400 pages of that. I know he was literally tortured, but we're 8 books into the series, I need more than trauma to happen. Additionally, my biggest issue with this series is that in every book, all of the characters are always separated for so long. I don't think we've ever had Max + her 5 bonds all together for more than like 1 chapter. This series is like the opposite of forced proximity :(
Also, no one was asking any questions about what happened with Atlas and Reza's bond - did it just not take? Also, Reza...I want her to die; I cannot believe this person is still in this series. I don't want a redemption arc, I want her gone lol
There were some pretty awesome other deaths of hated characters at the end though, which was fun. I loved the way those deaths were handled in the lab. Good karma.
Overall, this book felt very slow. Max is a bit boring and has a lot of internal monologue. Also, most of the events in this story already happened in earlier books. I really hope this story picks up. I don't think I can read another 200+ pages of pre-planning the war and then reading through Atlas's trauma and Eli's family drama and whatever other family stuff is going to come up. I want more relationship/romance content (I don't just mean sex; I mean like, 1 conversation that's not about the plot/their family tree) and I want more scenes where the 6 main characters are together (without Ro living on top of them too). I also want things to actually happen. No more side characters! There are too many! Lol
But yeah, I still love this series. It's pretty addicting.
September 10, 2023
Another phenomenal book in The Protector Guild series!!!!
@gray_holborn you continually break my heart but put it right back together again! There’s literally nobody that writes like you. I’m OBSESSED!!!
Tropes:
- fated mates
- ff in the harem
- reverse harem/why choose
- everybody has a diff personality in the harem
- demons, monster hunters, vampires, and werewolves
- slow burn
- the best character development
- incredible plot
- all books on kindle unlimited
Now I can’t wait for next year to read the last book in this BEAUTIFUL series 😭😭🖤🖤🖤
@gray_holborn you continually break my heart but put it right back together again! There’s literally nobody that writes like you. I’m OBSESSED!!!
Tropes:
- fated mates
- ff in the harem
- reverse harem/why choose
- everybody has a diff personality in the harem
- demons, monster hunters, vampires, and werewolves
- slow burn
- the best character development
- incredible plot
- all books on kindle unlimited
Now I can’t wait for next year to read the last book in this BEAUTIFUL series 😭😭🖤🖤🖤
October 24, 2023
We're cooking with fire now!!
June 19, 2024
This was better than the previous book
March 15, 2024
This was one of my favorite books in the series! This book was a complete emotional roller coaster. There is a lot of grief, loss, and heartbreak. I loved getting to learn even more about the characters and who they are. There are some things that happen that I did see coming and come that shocked me. I also enjoyed that the relationship bonds made more progress and I can’t want till the final book!
April 18, 2025
3.75 ⭐️’s -much better than the last one but the chapters are still so long.
February 20, 2024
Took
So long for them all to come together I feel like the only reason I keep reading is bc I am hoping for an awesome power scene and ending. I have a strong feeling I know who the other bad demon is too. We will see. Here's to hoping I didn't read all this for nothing!
So long for them all to come together I feel like the only reason I keep reading is bc I am hoping for an awesome power scene and ending. I have a strong feeling I know who the other bad demon is too. We will see. Here's to hoping I didn't read all this for nothing!
September 19, 2023
I love this series but…
Now I’ve read the first 6 books within a few days and just come to the newly released 7th and I’m a little disappointed, it feels like it’s missing something.
First some positives!
It’s an easy read, you don’t have to commit hundreds of notes to follow the lore it’s nice, simple and reasonably straightforward.
The characters are likeable, some loveable (For me Darius and Atlas)
The spice is now expanding and isn’t the same scene written but different characters.
And the plot is entertaining
But…
The plot I feel is very, very predictable. It doesn’t build quietly in the back ground and shock you at a certain point, it’s not the type where you can theorise different outcomes, it’s very clear on the direction it wants to go the hints/clues are about as subtle as a shotgun.
The problems, inconveniences and bad stuff that the characters face is solved within a chapter or two with the exception of the Atlas one which took the whole book. But it took the edge away, the suspense because you knew it would be solved within the next couple of chapters
The relationships are bland almost, it feels like there are too many and none of them have a genuine connection to Max, the book keeps relying on the ‘bonds’ excuse. The Eli one bugs me, I feel like he’s just completely changed as a person and is a whole different character, it doesn’t feel like a personal growth either just a whole different person.
And Atlas… in this book I’m just livid on him. The events that happened don’t bother me the path he took doesn’t but the trauma he went through, to be fixed within a few minutes! Now that is my biggest peeve, don’t get me wrong I hate a character that is in that depressive state for majority of a book but half a chapter and he’s fixed? And by the thing that he was tortured with? (Not her physically but you get the idea)
I really wanted to love this book, but it’s getting harder as the series goes on. I’m not sitting here thinking of possible theories or going back and re reading bits to get every clue I can out. I’m just sitting here wondering what’s missing…
Now I’ve read the first 6 books within a few days and just come to the newly released 7th and I’m a little disappointed, it feels like it’s missing something.
First some positives!
It’s an easy read, you don’t have to commit hundreds of notes to follow the lore it’s nice, simple and reasonably straightforward.
The characters are likeable, some loveable (For me Darius and Atlas)
The spice is now expanding and isn’t the same scene written but different characters.
And the plot is entertaining
But…
The plot I feel is very, very predictable. It doesn’t build quietly in the back ground and shock you at a certain point, it’s not the type where you can theorise different outcomes, it’s very clear on the direction it wants to go the hints/clues are about as subtle as a shotgun.
The problems, inconveniences and bad stuff that the characters face is solved within a chapter or two with the exception of the Atlas one which took the whole book. But it took the edge away, the suspense because you knew it would be solved within the next couple of chapters
The relationships are bland almost, it feels like there are too many and none of them have a genuine connection to Max, the book keeps relying on the ‘bonds’ excuse. The Eli one bugs me, I feel like he’s just completely changed as a person and is a whole different character, it doesn’t feel like a personal growth either just a whole different person.
And Atlas… in this book I’m just livid on him. The events that happened don’t bother me the path he took doesn’t but the trauma he went through, to be fixed within a few minutes! Now that is my biggest peeve, don’t get me wrong I hate a character that is in that depressive state for majority of a book but half a chapter and he’s fixed? And by the thing that he was tortured with? (Not her physically but you get the idea)
I really wanted to love this book, but it’s getting harder as the series goes on. I’m not sitting here thinking of possible theories or going back and re reading bits to get every clue I can out. I’m just sitting here wondering what’s missing…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
"Dark Before Dawn" is already the seventh book in the "Protector Guild" series, and I simply can't get enough of this world and these characters! This is one of the very few longer series that keep my attention captivated to the extreme, and I even dare to say I love each book a little more...
This book picks up right where book six ended, and it was heartbraking to watch Max' devastation and the helplessness of the men and women surrounding her. Still, there is a lot of hope for the future in this book as well, especially with how these characters finally find a way to leave their push and pull behind and embrace the bonds they have with each other. It leads to the spiciest scenes in this series so far, and I love how the slow burn simmering between all of them in the previous books built up to this. This is the kind of relationship building I long for in a longer series, and I'm so happy to watch it all come together.
Even though I usually refuse to pick out favorites in a harem, I can't help but love Darius a little more every time he says or does something. He's my absolute favorite vampire ever, and will always have a place in my book-boyfriend harem. His complete devotion for Max is precisely what she needs to become the badass woman she's destined to be. On the one hand, I can't wait for the next book. On the other, I know I'll be devestated to see the story of these characters come to an end...
This book picks up right where book six ended, and it was heartbraking to watch Max' devastation and the helplessness of the men and women surrounding her. Still, there is a lot of hope for the future in this book as well, especially with how these characters finally find a way to leave their push and pull behind and embrace the bonds they have with each other. It leads to the spiciest scenes in this series so far, and I love how the slow burn simmering between all of them in the previous books built up to this. This is the kind of relationship building I long for in a longer series, and I'm so happy to watch it all come together.
Even though I usually refuse to pick out favorites in a harem, I can't help but love Darius a little more every time he says or does something. He's my absolute favorite vampire ever, and will always have a place in my book-boyfriend harem. His complete devotion for Max is precisely what she needs to become the badass woman she's destined to be. On the one hand, I can't wait for the next book. On the other, I know I'll be devestated to see the story of these characters come to an end...
April 19, 2024
2⭐️ 3🌶️
There’s not a lot of bad reviews for this series so I honestly think the ones who realized this wasn’t going to get better stop reading at book two.
Im sooo tired of this series, of the characters, of the plot, of the repetitiveness.
I wouldn’t say I’m bored, I’m just tired I guess, because this isn’t exactly bad, it was just all the same, with so little development in all aspects.
Till this point, there hasn’t been any concrete plot to any of the books, all of them are just about saving one member of their team and Max being a useless character that doesn’t know how to use her magic and is attracted to all of her team, and even that, there’s nothing definitive with any of them, not even at this point of the series.
Yes, some of this things were rectified in this book but at 87% of the book, so I think is not enough to redeem it as a whole.
I wouldn’t refer to the relationships as rushed but the change in their dynamics felt a little too abrupt for my liking.
We’re at the end of this series and we still don’t know who the bigger villain is here, because the Guild as a whole is too general.
I’m a sucker for RH and I have read a lot, so I can truthfully say this was no the best but I was already halfway through so to stop reading felt an even worse waste of my time.
There’s not a lot of bad reviews for this series so I honestly think the ones who realized this wasn’t going to get better stop reading at book two.
Im sooo tired of this series, of the characters, of the plot, of the repetitiveness.
I wouldn’t say I’m bored, I’m just tired I guess, because this isn’t exactly bad, it was just all the same, with so little development in all aspects.
Till this point, there hasn’t been any concrete plot to any of the books, all of them are just about saving one member of their team and Max being a useless character that doesn’t know how to use her magic and is attracted to all of her team, and even that, there’s nothing definitive with any of them, not even at this point of the series.
Yes, some of this things were rectified in this book but at 87% of the book, so I think is not enough to redeem it as a whole.
I wouldn’t refer to the relationships as rushed but the change in their dynamics felt a little too abrupt for my liking.
We’re at the end of this series and we still don’t know who the bigger villain is here, because the Guild as a whole is too general.
I’m a sucker for RH and I have read a lot, so I can truthfully say this was no the best but I was already halfway through so to stop reading felt an even worse waste of my time.
February 1, 2025
The gang finds an abandoned house outsode of the guild. Max wont speak to anyone, all she does is cry huddled up in a room.
They decided Ro is the only one that can console her. Dec and Darius go bac to the guild and find him and bring him back. Finally. Max dream walks to Atlas, locked up in the labs but is pushed out by something dark. Max comes out of the room wanting to rescue Atlas, but her powers are gone.
They decide to go to Max and Ro's old house in the woods. Max and Ro scatter Cy's ashes. Seamus shows up there says that he is on their side.
A group of demons show up at the cabin. Darius and Wade are in town. They fight them off, but Max and Eli are pulled into Hell by Lucifer during the fight. She tells him her powers are gone. He then repeatedly stabs her with his dark magic knife. Every time he does, she gets a little stronger.
Meanwhile, Atlas and Sarah are being mentally tortured since phyical torture wasn't working. They are being tormented by a nightmare dream demon who has been replaying Max and the rest of his friends' deaths over and over and over and making it Atlas' fault each time.
Wade. Darius, Ro, and Dec call one of Dec's friends for shelter and medical attention for Seamus who was bit by a werewolf. They arrive at a community of protectors, humans, and demons.
Eli and Max admit their feelings to each other finally and give in completely. Max decides that instead of keeping them all away, she's going to embrace the bonds. They are sent back to Earth.
It's been 3 months there and 4 days in Hell. They make their way to the new community.
Max and Darius now have bond marks. I think Eli developed one too. Max dream walks to Atlas again and he's in bad shape. He's been tortured for months. He is skinny, weak, and out of his mind. She tells the group they have to go get him. The group tells her they will ask for help from the resistance the next day or 2. They all go back to bed. Max decides she's going to get Atlas tonight.
Darius catches her on the way out so he can go with her. She called Izzy ahead of time to tell her to get everyone ready and get the teams away from the guild. They teleport into the labs. The Guild has been drawing the dark magic out of the demons. Living conditions are horrible. Tehy run into Reza. She wants to help so they can get Atlas out because even though he doesn't lover her, she loves him. Instead of just his room, Max opens all the rooms and then fries the electronics so all the demons can escape. She gets to Atlas and tries to convinve him that this is real, that she's really here. When she does, they grab Sarah and teleport to the top of the labs. They run into Tarren. Atlas walks up to him and rips his heart out. Max burns the labs down and sets the whole Guild on fire.
Max, Darius, Atlas, and Sarah make their way back to the resistance with an army of people leaving the Guild with them.
Atlas is still a shadow of himself. Max helps him come back a little and he tells her that he's so sorry for pushing her away and bonding with Reza. He has only wanted her and will only ever want her.
Max dreamwalks to Lucifer. In the dream world Lucifer is different. Almost sad. Then he sadly reveals to Max that when it's time to save the realms, she will act as a gateway and she will not survive it. He has been trying to find another way but there isn't one. She willl die. And strangely enough, if it will save everyone and the ones she loves, Max is okay with it.
They decided Ro is the only one that can console her. Dec and Darius go bac to the guild and find him and bring him back. Finally. Max dream walks to Atlas, locked up in the labs but is pushed out by something dark. Max comes out of the room wanting to rescue Atlas, but her powers are gone.
They decide to go to Max and Ro's old house in the woods. Max and Ro scatter Cy's ashes. Seamus shows up there says that he is on their side.
A group of demons show up at the cabin. Darius and Wade are in town. They fight them off, but Max and Eli are pulled into Hell by Lucifer during the fight. She tells him her powers are gone. He then repeatedly stabs her with his dark magic knife. Every time he does, she gets a little stronger.
Meanwhile, Atlas and Sarah are being mentally tortured since phyical torture wasn't working. They are being tormented by a nightmare dream demon who has been replaying Max and the rest of his friends' deaths over and over and over and making it Atlas' fault each time.
Wade. Darius, Ro, and Dec call one of Dec's friends for shelter and medical attention for Seamus who was bit by a werewolf. They arrive at a community of protectors, humans, and demons.
Eli and Max admit their feelings to each other finally and give in completely. Max decides that instead of keeping them all away, she's going to embrace the bonds. They are sent back to Earth.
It's been 3 months there and 4 days in Hell. They make their way to the new community.
Max and Darius now have bond marks. I think Eli developed one too. Max dream walks to Atlas again and he's in bad shape. He's been tortured for months. He is skinny, weak, and out of his mind. She tells the group they have to go get him. The group tells her they will ask for help from the resistance the next day or 2. They all go back to bed. Max decides she's going to get Atlas tonight.
Darius catches her on the way out so he can go with her. She called Izzy ahead of time to tell her to get everyone ready and get the teams away from the guild. They teleport into the labs. The Guild has been drawing the dark magic out of the demons. Living conditions are horrible. Tehy run into Reza. She wants to help so they can get Atlas out because even though he doesn't lover her, she loves him. Instead of just his room, Max opens all the rooms and then fries the electronics so all the demons can escape. She gets to Atlas and tries to convinve him that this is real, that she's really here. When she does, they grab Sarah and teleport to the top of the labs. They run into Tarren. Atlas walks up to him and rips his heart out. Max burns the labs down and sets the whole Guild on fire.
Max, Darius, Atlas, and Sarah make their way back to the resistance with an army of people leaving the Guild with them.
Atlas is still a shadow of himself. Max helps him come back a little and he tells her that he's so sorry for pushing her away and bonding with Reza. He has only wanted her and will only ever want her.
Max dreamwalks to Lucifer. In the dream world Lucifer is different. Almost sad. Then he sadly reveals to Max that when it's time to save the realms, she will act as a gateway and she will not survive it. He has been trying to find another way but there isn't one. She willl die. And strangely enough, if it will save everyone and the ones she loves, Max is okay with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2023
love the characters but..
I love the characters in this series, especially Darius and Eli. However, it begins to feel like an endless loop of the same scenes over and over. Fight, heal, have sex, go to hell, fight again, heal, have group sex, repeat 800 times until it’s over. It starts to get old, real old. I found myself rolling my eyes and saying “not again” at least once every chapter. I will read the last book just to see how it ends but I don’t expect to read anything much different then the last 4 books. Book 1 through 3 were interesting and fun but since then, it’s just the same old, same old. The characters are the one thing that brings me back, even if I have to skip pages several times over to get through the gratuitous sex scenes (half which seem physically impossible, demon or not). Is this the worst thing I’ve read? No. Is it the best? Also no. Is it enjoyable? Meh, for the most part, I guess.
I love the characters in this series, especially Darius and Eli. However, it begins to feel like an endless loop of the same scenes over and over. Fight, heal, have sex, go to hell, fight again, heal, have group sex, repeat 800 times until it’s over. It starts to get old, real old. I found myself rolling my eyes and saying “not again” at least once every chapter. I will read the last book just to see how it ends but I don’t expect to read anything much different then the last 4 books. Book 1 through 3 were interesting and fun but since then, it’s just the same old, same old. The characters are the one thing that brings me back, even if I have to skip pages several times over to get through the gratuitous sex scenes (half which seem physically impossible, demon or not). Is this the worst thing I’ve read? No. Is it the best? Also no. Is it enjoyable? Meh, for the most part, I guess.
April 23, 2024
SPOLIER WARNING!!!! 🪴🪴🪴
---------------------------------------------------------------
WHO WAS GONNA TELL ME THE LAST BOOK COMES OUT IN JULY !??!?! HUH 🫡
I binge read this whole series this last week and it's all I can think about!
🧠🧠🧠
With quotes like this one it's safe to assume why ...
"I am completely and undeniably in love with you, Max Bentley.” A sob clutched at my chest, but he swallowed it, his lips pressing softly against mine. “You have the power to rip my heart out of my chest, to hurt me, to leave me. But I’m giving you that power anyway—gladly.” His lips pressed to my jaw, the pressure so gentle it made my breath stutter. “Be brave with me, Max.”
Like please I waited 7 books for them to end up together and now I have to waaaaaait 🫠
I will not rest well until the next part is out, remember my words!
---------------------------------------------------------------
WHO WAS GONNA TELL ME THE LAST BOOK COMES OUT IN JULY !??!?! HUH 🫡
I binge read this whole series this last week and it's all I can think about!
🧠🧠🧠
With quotes like this one it's safe to assume why ...
"I am completely and undeniably in love with you, Max Bentley.” A sob clutched at my chest, but he swallowed it, his lips pressing softly against mine. “You have the power to rip my heart out of my chest, to hurt me, to leave me. But I’m giving you that power anyway—gladly.” His lips pressed to my jaw, the pressure so gentle it made my breath stutter. “Be brave with me, Max.”
Like please I waited 7 books for them to end up together and now I have to waaaaaait 🫠
I will not rest well until the next part is out, remember my words!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
So much happens!!! Holy wow! A lot. Its the book before the last one, and you can tell. It sets it up. So good. One more book in my binge!!!
This is book 7 in The Protector Guild Series. The romance in this book remains a why choose with some of the relationships becoming strong, and others set on breaking your heart some more. The book is spicy like the previous books. The spicy scenes are descriptive, and this book does offer scenes with more than one partner. The book moves at a quick pace as Max moves through her grief, and the consequences of her heart break. The team, and Max are determined to get Atlas out of the guilds hands while remaining safe. They make some unexpected allies along the way. This book has even more action than the previous books, while cementing the plot into place.
This is book 7 in The Protector Guild Series. The romance in this book remains a why choose with some of the relationships becoming strong, and others set on breaking your heart some more. The book is spicy like the previous books. The spicy scenes are descriptive, and this book does offer scenes with more than one partner. The book moves at a quick pace as Max moves through her grief, and the consequences of her heart break. The team, and Max are determined to get Atlas out of the guilds hands while remaining safe. They make some unexpected allies along the way. This book has even more action than the previous books, while cementing the plot into place.
September 7, 2024
Again a 3.5
There are enough things I like about this series to keep me reading, but the plot just seems to move SO slowly!! It's like, good grief, please have something move in the plot. It's not that we lack action or steamy scenes in this book. But there's not a lot of progress in the plot. It's like we're hovering in one spot while the action happens, waiting to see if anything will happen. I felt frustration with the lack of urgency with the Atlas situation. Until the end, even Max was frustrating because she wasn't embracing herself or her relationships. Oh, and they save Sarah along with Atlas, but we don't hear anymore about her once they're at the Defiance. Was she ok even though Max didn't heal her?
I guess we're going to find out how it all comes together in the next book. Thank goodness!
There are enough things I like about this series to keep me reading, but the plot just seems to move SO slowly!! It's like, good grief, please have something move in the plot. It's not that we lack action or steamy scenes in this book. But there's not a lot of progress in the plot. It's like we're hovering in one spot while the action happens, waiting to see if anything will happen. I felt frustration with the lack of urgency with the Atlas situation. Until the end, even Max was frustrating because she wasn't embracing herself or her relationships. Oh, and they save Sarah along with Atlas, but we don't hear anymore about her once they're at the Defiance. Was she ok even though Max didn't heal her?
I guess we're going to find out how it all comes together in the next book. Thank goodness!
September 13, 2023
Ahh!! This book, perfection from beginning to end!! This series has become one of my favourite fantasy whychoose romances, it gives you just the right amount of action, humour, romance & teary moments 🥰
The second to last book of the series & so many things happen that has me wondering how Gray is going to wrap everything together in the final book, I’m so excited! Highly recommend, though make sure to read the previous books before starting this one & don’t think you’ll want to miss out the short story (Saving the Protector) that Gray wrote as characters that are part of it, appear in this book!
The second to last book of the series & so many things happen that has me wondering how Gray is going to wrap everything together in the final book, I’m so excited! Highly recommend, though make sure to read the previous books before starting this one & don’t think you’ll want to miss out the short story (Saving the Protector) that Gray wrote as characters that are part of it, appear in this book!
September 5, 2023
I appreciated that Max had to take time to heal and was scared to let anyone else in.
Finally we get the spice that has been teased to us in previous books.
I love the hints of the group coming together with or without Max. Building the relationships between the group and how while Max is the center they are a team with or without her.
I think my favorite part of this book was seeing a different side to Lucifer.
I cannot wait for the final installment to see how Max and her army save the world.
Finally we get the spice that has been teased to us in previous books.
I love the hints of the group coming together with or without Max. Building the relationships between the group and how while Max is the center they are a team with or without her.
I think my favorite part of this book was seeing a different side to Lucifer.
I cannot wait for the final installment to see how Max and her army save the world.
September 17, 2023
Prolonging the Ending
A large part of this book felt unnecessary. Not much happened and what did was predictable. With a series as long as this one is trying to be there needs to be some answers to previous questions while creating more important ones. This book did not do that for me. Felt more like a plateau rather than a progression on the plot. The relationship developments felt pretty stagnant too and underwhelming.
Will still continue the series but will need more from the next one.
A large part of this book felt unnecessary. Not much happened and what did was predictable. With a series as long as this one is trying to be there needs to be some answers to previous questions while creating more important ones. This book did not do that for me. Felt more like a plateau rather than a progression on the plot. The relationship developments felt pretty stagnant too and underwhelming.
Will still continue the series but will need more from the next one.
September 20, 2023
INVESTED!!
This installation of the Protectors Guild is yet another amazing part of the story. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book, the drama, the intensity of the fight that continues.
Gray has a way with story telling that sucks you right in. I need a HEA lol I’m BEGGING for it! These kids have been through entirely too much in such a short time.
You MUST read the series or you may be lost reading, but truth be told, the characters are so easy to love (and hate!) that reading the series is a gift!
This installation of the Protectors Guild is yet another amazing part of the story. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book, the drama, the intensity of the fight that continues.
Gray has a way with story telling that sucks you right in. I need a HEA lol I’m BEGGING for it! These kids have been through entirely too much in such a short time.
You MUST read the series or you may be lost reading, but truth be told, the characters are so easy to love (and hate!) that reading the series is a gift!
June 30, 2024
Nooooo! How can you leave me hanging like that!!
This has turned into a wonderful series of books! I have fallen in love with each character and the story just keeps getting better and better! Book 6 left me on a cliff hanger that led me to download book 7 immediately, and that kept me up well past my bed time. Now I've finished book 7 and must wait for book 8 to be released!? Nooooo!
Its been a long time since I've read this many books in a series without becoming bored with the story line.
This has turned into a wonderful series of books! I have fallen in love with each character and the story just keeps getting better and better! Book 6 left me on a cliff hanger that led me to download book 7 immediately, and that kept me up well past my bed time. Now I've finished book 7 and must wait for book 8 to be released!? Nooooo!
Its been a long time since I've read this many books in a series without becoming bored with the story line.
April 19, 2025
fudge
I absolutely was balling my eyes out for a majority of this book! Poor Atlas and Sarah! I really hope they pull through from their nightmares! This has been a very drawn out series in my opinion but I’ve enjoyed it at the same time which is why even though it’s been way longer than I would normally read something for, it kept me coming back with the finales that each book gave. That ending of her father and her, I’m really hoping that they find a way to save her because the team won’t survive loosing her after everything they’ve been through.
I absolutely was balling my eyes out for a majority of this book! Poor Atlas and Sarah! I really hope they pull through from their nightmares! This has been a very drawn out series in my opinion but I’ve enjoyed it at the same time which is why even though it’s been way longer than I would normally read something for, it kept me coming back with the finales that each book gave. That ending of her father and her, I’m really hoping that they find a way to save her because the team won’t survive loosing her after everything they’ve been through.
December 1, 2023
The final book currently out and another good one. I’ve really enjoyed this series and while I can’t wait for the final book to come out I also don’t want the final book to come out. We finally see a lot of the issues from previous books resolved and it was worth the wait. I hope we see more of Atlas and Sarah healing in the next books and see Max and Ro processing their trauma. Reverse harem with both male and female partners.
March 13, 2024
4.5 stars. Well shit. Of course it ends on a cliffhanger like that 🙄 but I sense a happily ever after…somehow…after a lot of pain. Thank god the bonds are solidified and max is finally a bad ass with all the confidence in the world. Love seeing the vulnerable side of good ol Lucy!!! Death by fire to the guild is the icing on top. “You said you needed an army? Well I brought you one” YES. Can’t believe I have to wait another 4 months for the last book😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
3.5-4 ⭐️’s: Huge build up, hoping the last book doesn’t fizzle after all this time laying the foundation. I have enjoyed watching the development of this world and all the many characters included. Shifters, vampires, demons and humans trying to survive while the realms are slowly collapsing. The spice is also heating up since Max is opening up her heart to accept the bonds. Hoping for a HEA but will settle for a HFN ending.
October 10, 2024
There were some mistakes I caught in the kindle version of the book...small stuff like using the wrong word or just little gramatical things, which I usually dont see. BUT other than that, this book was fantastic. It pulled at my heartstrings and I just couldnt wait til Max worked through her greif and started kicking butt again. Atlas's storyline was heartbreaking and I just cant wait to see how the final book turns out...I have some ideas but we will see!
January 28, 2025
Finally, they are all willing to communicate!! There was a lot more positive stuff in this book (thankfully) cause man was it getting rough.
The last chapter is the epitome of the calm before the storm, but I think it was a great way to end it before the last book.
I'm not even sure what to expect at all in the last book, honestly. There are still lots of unanswered questions, but only one book left in the series!!
The last chapter is the epitome of the calm before the storm, but I think it was a great way to end it before the last book.
I'm not even sure what to expect at all in the last book, honestly. There are still lots of unanswered questions, but only one book left in the series!!
August 4, 2025
This one was slow. And complicated. Ro needs to go. And things need to happen more quickly. I love Eli and Darius and Wade. I think I’m supposed to care a lot about Atlas? And Declan? But I don’t. Not really. Max has also sort of gone wish washy in this book because of a certain thing that happens. And while I agree it had to happen, I’m just not sure if the extent of all of it should have taken up this entire book.
September 12, 2023
“ The balance between good and evil is impossible to maintain when neither exist anymore….”
This is such an incredible read, it’s full of action, adventure, romance, twists and turns, grief and so much emotion that once started I could not put it down. With fantastic characters, it’s a gripping and exciting instalment in the slow burn fantasy read!
This is such an incredible read, it’s full of action, adventure, romance, twists and turns, grief and so much emotion that once started I could not put it down. With fantastic characters, it’s a gripping and exciting instalment in the slow burn fantasy read!
September 13, 2023
So good!
This was so beautifully written, an apt and haunting portrayal of grief, depression and PTSD as the group deal with the athermath of the invasion of the Guild. What follows is a journey to bring the team closer together, with lots of glorious spice, with a sprinkle of humour and lots of adrenaline fueled action. This is by far my favourite installment of the series.
This was so beautifully written, an apt and haunting portrayal of grief, depression and PTSD as the group deal with the athermath of the invasion of the Guild. What follows is a journey to bring the team closer together, with lots of glorious spice, with a sprinkle of humour and lots of adrenaline fueled action. This is by far my favourite installment of the series.
October 30, 2023
Definitely finished this full series very quickly with the cliffhangers always drawing me to the next one. I really enjoyed the plot lines of the series with a mix between mythology and fantasy combined into one world. I do find the series to be dragging on a bit by this book but still very excited to see how it concludes in book 8!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews