Outcast

Guardians' League #2

by Amelia Elias

In one instant, everything Renee Hardin knew was destroyed. Vampires were real, and now she had the bloodlust and fangs to prove it. Thrown into a new world, the only friend she has is Eli, a man who could've been drawn from her worst fears... or her darkest dreams. Mysterious and ancient, Eli is the most powerful of vampires and the most determined to rid the world of the predators that feast upon the innocent. He has spent thousands of years alone, wanting nothing, needing no one. But when a beautiful woman's mortal life is stolen before his eyes by the very Outcasts he hunts, Eli has no choice but to pose as her Sire and take her in and try to prevent their evil from poisoning her soul. Sexual attraction between Sire and fledgling is utterly forbidden, yet every moment with Renee makes him all the more aware that he is not her Sire. Fearless, sassy, and vibrantly alive, she awakens feelings he thought long dead and buried. But how can he risk loving her when it would mean revealing the sins that caused the gods to turn their backs on him for eternity? Warning, this title contains explicit sex and violence.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Ebooks, Romance

283 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

Meet Amelia Elias, mother of ten (okay, so some of her ‘kids’ have four legs and a tail), home health nurse (which is great because it affords her so much time to sit and chat with her clients), and author of many stories (most of them written to shut up those persistent voices in her head—though new ones always take their place). Amelia is slender, buxom, graceful, plays classical piano, speaks 17 languages, is always immaculately dressed, and is titled nobility on an oilrig off the coast of England.

And the nobility thing is actually true.

Amelia writes about everything from genies in a bottle, to gods and goddesses, to gorgeous vampires and hot, sexy Fae. Her stories are set in such locations as Olympus, two versions of an alternate Earth, vampire-owned nightclubs, and the really, truly crazy ones happen in the real world.

Some say she can be a bit scattered with her writing. Amelia disagrees, arguing, “No, not at all! I am very focused and… and… wait, do you have a pen? I just got a great idea for a romance between a shape-shifting ghost and an alien!”

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outcast is Elias' second book in the Guardians' League series, and it raises the curtain on the story of Eli and Renee. I was just as impressed with it as I was with Hunted - and this time, also a little flabbergasted. I wish I'd read this book when it was originally published. Why? Because had I, the when reading the similarities that exist between Eli's history and origins and Sherrilyn Kenyon's history and origins for Acheron, all the kudos for originality and brilliance would've landed in Elias' corner.

That being said, don't disregard Elias' Guardians' League if you've already read Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. It's not just a mimicry of others' works. It's fantastic, has it's own aspects of originality, and in some ways, is better than others in the genre. Personally, I think Outcast in particular is a better read than Acheron (sorry, Kenyon) in the romantic pairing area, especially when comparing the female lead in Outcast, Renee, and her relationship and its development with Eli. They fit together in a way that Kenyon's mate for Acheron didn't (IMHO).

And speaking of Eli and Renee...woah, wow, and holy heck. It started out rocky, and several of the Guardians don't exactly embrace Renee, as she was turned by an Outcast but sheltered by Eli. Eli has two choices - act as her Sire and protect her from potentially turning Outcast herself...or kill her. The conflict in him grows to titanic proportions as feelings for Renee that no sire would or should have for his fledgling start to grow beyond anything he's ever had any experience with. And Renee, a young woman who'd been the poster child for normalcy as a human, is suddenly not just a new vamp, she's an extremely strong fledgling with skills other vampires don't develop for centuries - if at all. And adjusting to those changes with limited info coming from Eli and even Guardians hating her violently is stripping anything "normal" from Renee's life with startling insistence.

It was fantastic, really. Only the fact that it's not the most original premise for the arc of the series is keeping these books from a five star rating for me. Outcast is, however, even better than Hunted, the first in the series, and I truly hope that Elias plans to continue the Guardians' League series after Chosen. It would be a true short-change for readers who enjoy quality paranormal romance if she doesn't.

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Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Tawnya McAfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Ms Elias

Ms Elias has done it again. She makes the stories come alive and the romance is complicated just like they are in life. It’s a shining example of love conquering all obstacles.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so great! we finally get the origin myth to love to hear and it was really interesting. The couple was just as great as the last book. The hero has even more power but again he doesnt let it go to his head and make him a crazy person. Instead hes downright sexy and sweet...kinda the perfect man if you dig the fang thing. The heroine is less warrior princess than last book but shes still pretty tough and i admire her strength and empathy. the plot was fantastic and actually did manage to surprise me a couple times. The writing was just as good no complaints there. The plot/romance development went at a nice pace though i definitely wouldnt have minded getting the origin myth a little faster. I really dont have anything negative to say about the book...cant remember the last time that happened!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved Hunted, and I was looking forward to Eli's book. However, I ended up being disappointed in the book and in Eli as a hero. In this book, this series took a weird turn and become a dark hunter wanna be. It was not what I was expecting and it totally turned me off. Eli was also prone to the common hero syndrome of "im going to not tell her things to protect her and assume I know what she would think". It got old fast. There were way too many misunderstandings between these two. Also, the book dragged on at the end. When it seemed like it should have ended, it went on with another bad guy/drama that was hardly present in the rest of the book. I have the next book, so I will read it, but I wouldn't bother if I didn't.

[Stacie]

A Continuation of the Guardian's League Series. Eli is the oldest living vampire and has powers that are over and above what the other vampires. One night he is in a fight with Outcasts when the take a woman named Renee hostage. The Outcasts get away but not before turning her and leave her for dead. Eli has to take her and train her in the ways of the the vampires. However, he did not bargain for falling for her and wanting her as his bondmate.

[Cindyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG.. I love Eli's story. This is one awesome series. Fast paced, on the edge of your seat reading. You've got to get this series. I wish I knew if Ms. Elias is going to continue this series. I sure hope so.

[Meg West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Eli, I want to marry him, Ok not really but it was a great story and I really like him and Renee.

[Dren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great Book 2 in the Guardian League series. Eli's story was very interesting and tied well into the fast paced plot.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series. Kinda reminds me of Chicagoland Vampires simply because the stories are fun, easy reads with hot vamps. Highly recommend this one.

[Minalb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im totally in love with Eli<3 He shows so much care for Reene and i just adore the way they tease each other :)

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. I liked the characters.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars