A Dawn of Guardians

by Bella Forrest

Return to The Shade and reunite with your favorite characters in a brand new heart-pounding adventure!
A Dawn of Guardians is the start of “Season 5”, a thrilling new storyline.
New romance to fall in love with.
New mysteries to unravel.
A new journey to lose yourself in...
Your Shade family is waiting for you!

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal, Magic, Fiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2016

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

###

Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again here I am thinking I don't know how Bella Forest does it. Every book she out does herself again. I don't know where she gets it. With this one at first I thought I wasn't going to like it but after about the first quarter of the book I just couldn't put it down. I finished around 2 in the morning. She has a way of drawing you in and now I am awaiting the next book that will come out next month but I look forward to her next novel aside from ASOV, The Gender Games.

[Judy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! FABULOUS BEGINNING TO ANOTHER NEW ADVENTURE !!!
Title: A Dawn of Guardians
Series: A Shade of Vampire
Designation: Book Thirty-Three of a Multi-Novel Series (Book One of Season Five), NOT a Standalone Read, Cliffhanger
Author: Bella Forrest
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Reading Platform: Kindle Unlimited
My Rating: FIVE DIVINELY ENTERTAINING STARS *****
A Dawn of Guardians is the thirty-third riveting release in the international bestselling megahit series, A Shade of Vampire, and Bella Forrest has left me totally breathless - again! Like thousands of my fellow Shaddicts around the world, I've been hooked since the first book of the series and now eagerly await each new release. And it's no surprise that Forrest has delivered another new gripping adventure that curls our toes, makes our hearts pound and keeps us begging for more! This is a beautifully written young adult saga unlike any I've ever read. Quite simply, it's an irresistibly delicious all-you-can-eat buffet of fantasy, adventure, and supernatural romance. The story is well crafted, imaginative, thrilling, fast paced, action packed, suspenseful, sweet, romantic and at times, also dark and mysterious. Whew, what a mouthful, but these are only a few of the words that come to mind after reading this incredible chronicle of the Shade, its inhabitants, and their enemies. The narrative is exceptionally well written in the first person with multiple points of view. Each chapter is told by one of the primary characters (and there are many), which I believe gives more depth and perspective to the story while adding insight into their thoughts, fears, and motivations. The dialogue is smart, well executed and flows effortlessly. Although the premise and plot for the series are intriguing as well as compelling, it's truly the magnificent cast of larger than life characters that make the biggest impact. They are well developed, fascinating, captivating, engaging, endearing and quite literally, out of this world! They explode from the pages, grab your imagination, capture your heart and hold you completely and totally enthralled from beginning to end. Forrest skillfully combines all of these elements to craft a beautifully written paranormal romance filled to the brim with danger, action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, suspense, magic, supernatural beings, loyalty, heartbreak, betrayal, angst, hope, passion, love and plot twists that will blow your mind. After thirty-two books in a series, some might think the story has grown old or stagnant, but nothing could be farther from the truth. After reading all the books of the series, there are two things I've learned beyond a shadow of a doubt. First, when reading anything written by Bella Forrest, always expect the unexpected and two, absolutely nothing is ever impossible as we've all witnessed time and time again. In each book Forrest pens, she takes her readers on an emotionally thrilling roller coaster ride, unlike any other, one that keeps us on the edge of our seat and riveted to each page while screaming, "OMG - that didn't just happen!" And the icing on the cake, Forrest's books are always well-edited, formatted and have gorgeous covers! I'm not a professional reviewer but I know what I like, what I love and what I don't and I love this series! I've never experienced anything like it. After reading Book 32: A Day of Glory, the seventh and final release of season four, I had to ask myself, how in the world will Forrest ever be able to surpass her last release? But never fear my friends, Forrest has once again exhibited her exceptional talent, remarkable skill, and incredible imagination by giving us yet another riveting new adventure featuring more of our new generation of young heroes with all of our beloved favorites also along for the ride.
Premise:
Twenty-two years have passed since Ben Novak, Prince of The Shade, married the beautiful half blood River Giovanni. And much has changed in those years. The King and Queen of The Shade, Derek and Sophia Novak, are now proud grandparents, four times over and many of the other residents are also proud parents. Wow! Time really flies, doesn't it? Ben and River Novak have one nineteen-year-old half fae daughter, Grace, who, despite incredible odds, survived becoming a Bloodless and has just married Lawrence Conway, the man responsible for saving her life. Grace and Lawrence were married in a lovely ceremony in The Hearthlands officiated by half dragon and former Shade resident Heath. Ben and River also have a fairly new addition to their family. Two years ago, they discovered River had a son named Field, an adult Half-blood/Hawk hybrid who was the result of an invasive IBSI experiment performed while River was held prisoner twenty years earlier. Derek and Sophia's daughter, Shade Princess Rose Novak, has been happily married to Caleb Achilles for over 20 years. They have two human children, Hazel, age seventeen, and Benedict, age fourteen. Kiev and Mona Novalic have one nineteen-year-old son named Brock who is half warlock. Witches Ibrahim and Corrine have been blessed with a lovely nineteen-year-old full blooded witch daughter named Arwen who, despite her mother's objection, is dating Brock. Vampires Claudia and Yuri Lazaroff have a twenty-year-old human daughter, Ruby. Vampires Ashley and Landis Vaughn also have a fifteen-year-old human son Julian. Even the dragon residents of The Shade have flourished. Dragon shifter Jeriad and his human wife Sylvia now have a son, handsome strapping twenty-one-year-old half dragon Heath who now resides in The Hearthlands, his father's former realm. And there have many other happy unions among the residents. Aiden and Kailyn have been married for twenty-two years and adopted one of the werewolf pups recovered from the Harpies. Abby and Erik also took the plunge along with Micah and Kira, Eli and Shayla, and the two Jinn Aisha and Horatio who have a beautiful baby girl named Riza. And not surprisingly, ice dragon Lethe also has a human bride and now resides inside the protective boundaries of The Shade. Surprisingly, long time bachelor Lucas Novak is now a thriving resident of The Shade community but is no longer a bachelor. Yikes! For the first time in his 500 years of existence, he truly fell in love with Marion, the woman rescued from the Ogre realm, and has become a loving husband as well as father to Marion's daughter Avril. And of course, we all remember Xavier and Vivienne's beautiful daughter, Victoria Vaughn who married werewolf Bastien Blackhall in Season Four. Victoria and Bastien are now the proud parents of an adorable wolf hybrid son named Jovi . But as much as things have changed, there are still many things that have remained the same, including The Shade's mission to protect Earth from The Shade's many enemies, some known and some yet to be discovered.

In Season Five, our story resumes two years after The Shadow League defeated the IBSI and ousted them from power. Our brave heroes of The Shade no longer operate from the shadows and have become the official and very public protectors of Earth and all its many realms and there are many...some yet to be discovered with strange and unfamiliar beings. As a result of their victory over the IBSI as well as their new public personas, the founders of TSL have become familiar faces around the globe making it impossible to travel anywhere without being recognized. In keeping with their responsibilities and duties, the name of the group has now been changed to the Global Agency for Supernatural Protection or GASP with Derek Novak as the Chairman/CEO and the other original members of TSL holding the key executive management positions. Even after finding the Bloodless cure and the elimination of the threat posed by the IBSI, supernatural crime still exists but with GASP having facilities and agents located the world over, it's handled professionally and expediently. And of course, they have maintained the alliances with the other supernatural realms made during the IBSI takedown. Their most recent case began with a call from the Greek island of Crete where tourists and locals have been mysteriously disappearing without a trace along with unexplained noises during the night and strange reports of vehicles being strangely mangled. All the incidents seem to be centered in the area surrounding the archaeological site of Knossos. Some of the more superstitious residents of the island fear the bizarre disturbances could be the result of Minotaurs, creatures of myth and legend returning to terrorize the island from the hidden ruins of the labyrinth. But are minotaurs real? Who could even say, especially after their recent discovery of several new supernatural species? Regardless, Derek and Sophia along with the other members of GASP from The Shade are scheduled to leave for Crete to investigate the case. And while their parents are conducting their investigation on Crete, Rose and Caleb Achilles' human children, seventeen-year-old Hazel and fourteen-year-old Benedict, along with Claudia and Yuri Lazaroff's twenty-year-old human daughter Ruby, and Landis and Ashley Vaughn's fifteen-year-old human son Julian are being shipped off to Murkbeech Island off the coast of Scotland for two weeks of summer camp where they will learn how to survive in the wilderness. It's a bit of a family tradition since this is the same wilderness training retreat Ben and Rose were sent when they were teenagers and we all remember how they ultimately ended up in Hawaii and the misadventures that ensued. Oh my! I wonder if history will repeat itself and they'll also wind up being kidnapped and in mortal danger as did Rose and Ben? It seems they do! Oh no! But will our group of young heroes be able to manage on their own and save themselves? I guess we'll see!

Two beautiful, brave, young human heroines-check! Two courageous human teenage heroes -check! A new realm inhabited by a dark, mysterious race of unknown supernaturals-check! A new enemy who may turn out to be a new hero-we'll see! An army of supernatural heroes with a new name-check! A magnificent cast of characters including a new young generation of heroes-check! A plethora of supernatural beings including mutants, vampires, werewolves, witches, dragons, ogres, jinn, fae-you bet! More new creatures that we've never before encountered-check! A new enemy-check! Danger, drama, adventure, suspense, betrayal and exciting evil machinations-check! More sweet budding romances-maybe! That and a whole lot more! Buckle up my lovelies for another exciting new adventure with all our favorite residents of The Shade including a brand new generation of heroes, all working together to battle old enemies along with a few new ones as well. I can hardly wait for the new adventure in Book 34: A Sword of Chance. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new story line!!

Its nice to have new characters to get to knows and go on adventures with just as always they are never long enough for me! ☺

[lana jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! I can hardly wait for the next book in this addictive series. More great writing from Bella Forrest!

[Kelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to an adventure for the human Shade kids!! Now....the rest of the story! ;)

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read but by far not one of my favourites in the series.

I have yet to grow close to the characters of hazel and ruby. I was enjoyed the first part of the book and learning more of their bond as a group and particularly liking Hazels love of books but once the rest of the people of the Scottish camp starting being ‘taken over’ I found myself struggling to continue as it was somewhat more reminiscent of the walking dead than the classic shade books.
Pushing through to the development of a new supernatural called a sentry who suck energy from humans and manipulate their thought and actions was interesting. However learning more of the brothers and the kingdom of nevertide felt a little recycled to a shade of dragon with tejus’ wanting the approval of his horrible father and needed to fight to win the kingship of the land. That topped with the fact the main focus was on hazel being kidnapped by Tejus was reminiscent of Nell in the hearthlands.

The maze was a pleasant idea though, I just don’t do too well with a lot of the supernatural beings such as the goblins. I liked the idea more of the blood vines and was a little happier when nymphs came along as I’d already been introduced to these.
My favourite part of the whole book was the surprise ending of tejus’ brother stopping the safe return of ruby, Julian and Benedict and I am left wondering how they will be used in the next part of the story.

Undoubtedly I’ll be reading the next book, however I am hoping for less new and obvious supernatural beings, more varied chapters I.e I don’t want another book just from hazels pow and I’m hoping Bella will not make Hazel and tejus fall in love as is the usual course of these kidnapping plot lines.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

-A new character is mentioned, Julian. I though I’d missed or forgot something. I went back to book 25 to see if I could find the name mentioned in those new characters, but it wasn’t. I simply just guessed who he was. If I’d been more patient, a few pages later, I’d have been told exactly who he was, even though I’d guessed correctly. So just be more patient than me, you didn’t forget or miss a thing...

The beginning 30% of the book was very difficult to get through. It was just very slow setting up the new story. I got past that and the rest of the book was really good. I loved the new heroes of the series and the new creatures were also a nice surprise. I felt like this book was a combination of Sophia and Rose’s stories. It seems a common theme with the Claremont girls. I look forward to the next book to see how the new characters will fight their way out of their current predicament.

[Kellyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I enjoyed this book. It wasn't my favorite though. I personally get irritated when in the beginning you feel like you missed so much and the author plays 5 years catch up in just one chapter. All in all though I loved the book. Guess I just had to get through the beginning. I enjoy reading about the Shade and the characters and I love how Bella creates these awesome worlds of such creativity. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[Maria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A race for the sword

So the majority of this story is pretty boring that I was starting to wonder if anything at all was going to happen and then BAM! A whirlwind of things happen suddenly and consecutively. Hazel, Ruby, Benedict and Julian are swept away to an unknown land in order to be used as pawns and leeched off. We are also introduced once again to some new supernaturals. Very curious about this new land of supernaturals and I can't wait to get to know Tejus better.

[Kelly wedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start!

This book was a much better start to the story arc than clan of novacs was to the last arc. Jumps right in with action and not a ton of back story. Interested to see where my favorite supes go in this series

[D.R.Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dawn of Guardians

This new addition to your trilogy of Shade is worthy but at times short and becoming cliche' . Looking for more and hoping for the best out of your new installment of " Shade of Vampire".

[Judy Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading a new story about our friends from the shade. this story takes us on new adventures with the children of the third generation of the Novacks. loved this book and can't wait to get started on the next book.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?! This book was even more suspenseful than the last book! I am so stressed out for Hazel and the rest of the kids. How in the world are they going to find them? Is Hazel going to fall in love with Tejus’ (probably) but really these people are CRAZY! How does Bella keep thinking of these crazy stories that keep getting better and better (and more stressful) than the last one. I love her creativity and The Shade stories so much!

[Allison Minjares · Rating 1 out of 5]

What happened

I'm guessing you ran out of filler somewhere in the 20's and at the 30's decided no matter what you wrote people would read? It's bad enough having to skip entire chapters but know skipping entire sets says I'm over all this.

[Lena Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

💝 love my shade!

Never a dull moment in the Shade!!! Love to continue the adventures of the Novaks . The new generation is just as thrilling n exciting.....

[Kelly Teague · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I think this one might be my favorite yet ... this one had an extra layer of suspense and new supernaturals!!

[Sacha Vacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these new characters

[Jennifer Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Just as amazing as the rest. Usually with such long series...the books tend to get worse. Not the case with this series!!! Well done!

[Kelly Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure at first with this book but then like the other books before it I was drawn in and could not put it down.....sentries

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Forrest did it again!! She always manage to engulfed in the twist and turns of all the residents of The Shade

[IPHIGINIA HENRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This story is riveting can't seem to put it down. The story line keeps you wanting more and the need to complete each couple story

[Blueleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEW SERIES

[Amy Waford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps me guessing what will be next

[Dana Crossland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the start of this new generation. Hazel and Tejus are my favourite couple and even after the second time reading their series they still have me hooked. Loved it

[Sylvia wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

As always never Disappointed love love these books...kinda bummed I have to wait doe the next 9ne to come out, I wonder how they are gonna find out where their children have gone and if hazel will find out her brother and cousins never did get out of nevertide so exciting

[Suey Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

New lands and new supernaturals lead us into a new and exciting season of A Shade of Vampire!

What a fantastic surprise! I was in know way expecting this story line to be the one to lead us back into the lives of the 'Shadians!' - as Hazel refers to them. We have a nice catch up at the beginning and finally learn what the mysterious grey babies are. In this new addition a variety of new creatures are revealed to us as well as a new mysterious land that I have a feeling we may have only just scratched the surface of.

We follow Hazel, her brother Benedict, Ruby and Julian to the Island of Murkbeech in Scotland, where Ben and Rose were meant to go on their summer vacation many years ago, but instead started their epic adventures in Hawaii. Despite the four being much more obedient than their seniors and sticking around, they still, by no fault of their own ended up getting into a whole lot of mess and being kidnapped to the supernatural realm.

Being made of tough Shade genes, they struggle through in survival mode, despite being met with some extremely harsh challenges that they have to overcome, alongside their emotionless, mind-zapping captors. Of course in true Bella style, we are left with a cliffhanger ending, wondering what will happen to the four now? Will they somehow escape this new land or be rescued by TSL - now named GASP? Oorrr... Will some other completely wild and exhilarating plot unfold? My guess would be the latter!

I found my self getting a sense of deja vu through out Hazel's story. It kept taking me right back to the beginning, when Sofia met Derek. After being kidnapped, can Hazel turn the cold-hearted Tejus in to a strong hearted, fair leader, like Sofia did with Derek? Will Tejus' evil brother Jenus try to thwart his claim to the throne as emperor and harm Hazel, just as Lucas had done to Derek and Sofia in The Shade?

I look forward to returning to Hazel's story in Nevertide and seeing how she integrates with a certain Sentry (a newly visited supernatural) in particular. Whilst all this is going on our original gang are in Greece investigating claims of a mythological creature. There really never is a dull moment in the lives of these awesome supernaturals!

[Graciela Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

More

I love this new season of books! Bella you have me so hooked! Love your books more and more. Can't wait for the next book

[Jade Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Again, Bella has delivered a fabulous journey twisted with mystery that will have you flipping page after page!!!

2 years have passed. The Shade and residents have had a nice break from all the drama and turmoil. We see marriages, babies and harmony bloom all around. TSL (The Shadow League) is now Gasp (Global Agency for Supernatural Protection) and they have things finally going good!! Will this last? Well you'll need to read to find that one out!

It has been nice seeing the Shade grow and also hold onto humanity at the same time. Seeing the human kids of everyone has been a nice treat! It always leaves some mystery of if they'll remain human, turn vamp or have someone force something on them.

The Murkbeech Adventures..... Turns out to be one adventure indeed. Leaving The Shade as a human isn't a smart idea at all!!

I wouldn't recommend reading this with a headache by the way, LOL Yes I did, but in my defense, I just couldn't put it down!!

[Donna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Bella you did it again. What an exciting adventure you took us on and it looks like it is going to be even more of an adventure in the next book.
I hate that Jenus captured Ruby, Julian, and Benedict. I have a horrible feeling that he is going to try and use their minds to murder Tejus. That is something that I hope does not happen.
I also hope that some way Tejus and Hazel end up falling in love. Even though he is a different species and I am not sure how old he is but I hope that is how it ends up.
This was an awesome book and one worth reading. I hope everyone picks up this book and goes on the journey.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another generation of Shade kids are reaching maturity and their parents send them off for a summer adventure. But true to all Shade residents, trouble manages to find them. Another unique paranormal is brought into this amazing saga that puts the next generation of Novak heirs through the paces. Once again I am in awe of this amazing tale! Highly recommend the entire series to any that have not experienced the Shade as yet! This voluntary review is based against a KU copy.