The saga of personal experiences about Evalle and her supernatural friends continues in the fifth book of the Belador series. Though they have fought and won many courageous battles over their enemies, threats never completely cease because of the single-minded determination of these evil beings. Dianna Love brings back a number of beloved characters to carry on the fight to protect humans from otherworldly predators, where the stakes in numerous emotional conflicts are exceedingly high. DEMON STORM leaves you breathless on countless occasions.
Though Storm already had a good reason to despise a particular witch doctor, it took her making threats to Evalle Kincaid to push him into action. The jaguar shifter feels very protective of her, even if the Belador warrior would not appreciate his placing himself in danger to keep her safe. Love for Evalle leads to the Skinwalker tracking the witch doctor, and a confrontation between the two reveals several complications he never imagined. Any choices he now makes could be perilous to either him or the woman for whom he would die before putting her at risk.
After the last clash the Beladors fought against the Medb at Treoir Castle, their queen has disappeared. Now their abilities are weakening because they can no longer receive her support, and Evalle hopes Storm can use his skills as a tracker to find their leader. Yet he seems to have vanished, and she has no idea where to look for him. To locate the single being who might be able to keep the enemies of the Belador warriors from becoming more powerful, Evalle must trust individuals that she never has before or Storm plus all humanity may be doomed.
While there are several dangerous circumstances to overcome, it is the profound emotional episodes in the fifth Belador book that I will recall again and again. The characters in this series are all strong and gutsy, and seeing so many of them express heart wrenching inner feelings truly touched me quite a few times. Storm is someone I have loved from the very start, and I deeply felt for him because of all the troubling events happening in his life. Dianna Love knows precisely how to convey sentiments with a realistic sincerity, and I was greatly affected by the honest reactions of the characters in the story, especially those of Evalle who usually keeps her feelings private. There is also much going on in Quinn and Tzader’s lives, and Ms. Love kept upping the stress they had to go through.
The Belador series has been a favorite since its launch, and though lots of background is scattered throughout the fifth book, it would be advisable to have read the preceding stories to fully understand all that takes place and why. A fascinating world has been created for all the intriguing beings featured in the series, and many of those whom I hold dear appear in the latest book, along with some rather nasty enemies. Evalle has constantly battled the Medb and even certain individuals who should be her ally, and those struggles continue to be a daily challenge. She has always tried to do what a Belador would think is right, and having someone special in her life gives her extra incentive to keep the world safe. The complex relationship Evalle has with Storm is repeatedly put to the test, yet nothing can diminish the passion between them. A hint of what is to come in the next book makes me want it very soon. Dianna Love makes every second of DEMON STORM enthrallingly believable.
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