El Defensor

Paladins of Darkness #2

by Alexis Morgan

Como Paladin, Blake Trahern lucha y muere una y otra vez para mantener al genero humano a salvo de los Otros. el percibe que su humanidad se va desvaneciendo con cada batalla, asi que se retira del mundo... Hasta que la unica persona que todavia influye en su alma necesita su ayuda. Han pasado doce anos desde que Blake desaparecio de la vida de Brenna Nichols. Durante estos anos, ella ha pasado de ser una adolescente enamorada a una mujer sensual y testaruda. Trahern daria su vida sin titubear para protegerla, pero no se atreve a arriesgar su corazon. Brenna se siente aturdida por la reaparicion de Blake y por un sorprendente descubrimiento acerca de su padre. Todo lo que ella creia saber es puesto en duda; todo salvo el deseo que Blake todavia despierta en ella. Pero mientras buscan juntos a un traidor entre los Paladines, el peligro acecha. La siguiente batalla podria conducir a Blake a la locura y destruir su vida, su alma... y a la unica mujer a la que siempre ha amado. / As Paladin, Blake Trahern fight and die again and again to keep mankind safe from the Others. He sees that his humanity is fading with each battle, so we withdrew from the world ... Until the only person who still affects his soul needs your help. Twelve years have passed since Blake disappeared from the lives of Brenna Nichols. During these years, she has gone from being a teenager in love with a woman sensual and stubborn.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Ebooks, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 23, 2006

About the author

Alexis Morgan grew up near St. Louis and received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have made the Pacific Northwest their home for more than thirty years, where she launched her career as a writer. She is published in paranormal romance, fantasy romance, American West historicals, and most recently, contemporary romances with her new Snowberry Creek series.

Reviews

[Pepito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series!This book actually got to get into my top 100 shelf! I enjoyed every page.

I adore the world building the most. I promise you will find it totally creative and entertaining. We have the world of the Paladins, warriors born from an alien father and a human mother. They look human but have some amazing new features, like being able to come back every time they die. Much more about them is explained in the series but I don't wanna write about this as you can find out about it reading it for yourselves. I just wanna let you know that you will love the plot as you have never before read about something like it.

The characters are described very well too. I'm kinda getting addicted to this series. I'm starting book 3 right away.Can't wait! I'm not getting this book into my favs shelf yet because I still feel like this world can be much more developed and better described, I need more! but I think I will get it eventually with the books I still have to read.

[Zeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot I had this series in my tbr pile, but recently found a mo to read the next one…

Blake Trahern is a Paladin warrior. He and his kind protect the fault lines where mankinds’ fiercest enemy has the potential to sneak through from another dimension. An enemy mankind is completely unaware of because of the Paladins.

But that’s changing as more and more are slipping through, and apparently someone on our side is helping.

But all that is secondary to the fact that the man he once called father was just blown to bits in front of the person he cares most about in this world- and now someone is after her.

Trahern disappeared from Brenna Nichols’ life many years before and now he’s back making outrageous claims about himself and about her beloved father, in a bid to protect her. But she must come to terms with what he claims, because her life truly is in very real danger without his aid.

What Trahern doesn’t realize is that Brenna is the key to several things- including his own sanity (one more battle death and he turns into his enemy) and his heart, which he dare not give. Yet he will give the only thing he’s got- his life- to protect her because he’s loved her since they were kids.

I enjoyed going back into Morgan’s world of immortal Paladins. I like the PNR concept she came up with- not your usual Vampire/Werewolf turn- and she does a good job with the romance. Feels kinda tame compared to recent romances, but there’s definitely sex up in here. :) I also am a sucker for friends to lovers (especially childhood friends to lovers!) so I was pretty much sold on this entry to the series right away. (It also starts off with a bang-literally- and that grabbed me immediately too.)

In this one we get a little more idea of how and why the Paladin’s came to be, and also a firming up of the threatening plot to overtake our world.

the whole "my one true lurrrve will save the life of the warrior" thing is a little eye-rolly but whatevs. We'll see if It bugs me enough to quit the series.

Two books in and I’m finding them easy, enjoyable reads- so yeah… reading on!

[gremlinkitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than the last in the Paladin series. Everything was fleshed out more and there weren't as many spots that needed some editing.

I loved Blake, he was wonderful, and I liked Brenna too, after she got over her having to argue over every little thing in the beginning of the book. I get that people grieve differently and it took her a time for the death of her father to hit her, but I do not like romances where the heroine argues against everything the hero asks (or sometimes demands) she do, especially when it's for her own good - you know like living. I actually felt their love for each other in the book, where Dark Protector was lacking, and I liked how there was more background on the Paladins, so the book was wholly enjoyable.

The end was nicely done without being too sappy, and I ended up reading the excerpt at the back for the next book, which I cannot wait to read! I hadn't looked up the books at all and didn't know Barak was getting his own book (and then Cullen, yay!). It's going to be hard for me to wait, but I don't have the money to get either of those books (poor me :P) right now. I guess I'll just have to impatiently wait with other paranormal romances.
4.5 stars

[Laurie Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of emotions, betrayal, kidnapping, passion and a risk of two hearts. A very good read, one would fall in love with Blake alone, he is a hot warrior that wants to keep one woman safe. Brenna is really good although, she kind of gets on ones nerves at first with all the questions, but remember she has been through a lot, she quits that going into the middle of the book.

This book also make’s clear what’s going on between the Paladin and the Others, it’s really explained well with out interfering with the romance in the book.

[Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this one was just okayy...
I don't know but I expect more from the "tortured" "on-the-brink" heroes than from the cookie cutter ones like Devlin. So I was hugely disappointed cause Blake just didn't live up to his reputation.
And Brenna...wth?!
I truly expected her to have a brain and not be the total moron that she was. -__-
Shitty h.

This is probably/most likely the last book I read from the series, totally lost my zing.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake was great! I like how we got a bit more on the regent and the plot to kill the paladins. This series has a certain something that just grabs you, and I definitely want to keep up with the series.

[Kelly Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The Paladins are special race, a mixture of human and "others", able to heal faster, die and be revived and fight to protect out world from the "Others" that wish to cross over into it.

In many PNR an "Other" may be considered a shapeshifter or Vampire, but in this book that is not the case.
Deep with in the earths crust, there is a protal or break between two worlds that the Paladins guard. From the Other side come a different kind of being. Fom a world without light.

Our main character Blake Trahern fights and dies again and again to keep mankind safe from the Others. Sensing his humanity slipping away with each battle, he retreats from the world...until the one person who still has a claim on his soul needs his help. It's been twelve years since Blake vanished from Brenna Nichols's life, years that have turned her from a love-struck teen into a headstrong, sensual woman. He'll fearlessly give his life to protect her -- yet he dare not risk his heart.


Brenna is stunned by Blake's reappearance, and by a shocking discovery about her father. Everything she has ever believed is thrown into question -- everything except the desire that Blake still ignites. But as they search together for a traitor among the Paladins, danger looms: the next battle could tip Blake into madness, destroying his life, his soul...and the only woman he has ever loved.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok first let me say I really give this book 3.5 stars. I didnt enjoy it quite as much as the first book in the series, and Im not quite sure why...

I really love Blake and I think he is definitely a sexy alpha male... but I think Brenna got to me after a while. She is super smart and beautiful, but she constantly fights Blake and her attraction to him. Now, I know that some resistance makes a good story, dont get me wrong. I just thought that it got a little old after a while.

Then, the story line doesnt really wrap up at the end. You never really know why the bad guys were after Brenna's father, and they also cant seem to put together the fact that the women have some influence on the Paladins "Health" in their many tests. I know that it is setting us up for the next book, I just thought they really wrapped up the ending in a hurry.

With that said, It was a really easy, fun, mindless read and I will be picking up the next book in the series soon.

[Luna Lectora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este me gusto un poco mas, sin embargo mucho instalove, y poca profundidad en los personajes, no se sabe nada de los otros. Las escenas de sexo, digamos que están muy regular.

No se que esperar.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to spend a lot of time going on and on about what I liked about Blake and Brenna's story in the second book of the Paladins of Darkness series, but I will say a few things. I thought the relationship between them was a little more developed and interesting than the one between Devlin and Laurel in Dark Protector. Part of that was the simple fact that there was more time for Brenna and Blake to be together, as there wasn't the need for the world-building and mythos setup that there is in a first book of a series, the other part is that the scenes between them were simply written better - more realistically, with better dialogue and a stronger chemistry. I had a problem with aspects of the romance between Bane and his handler in the first book. I didn't have the same sort of problems here. True, I had different ones...but I'll get to that in a moment.

I'm a self-confessed sucker for the unrequited love of youth becoming deliciously requited in adulthood, so that aspect of the Blake/Brenna pairing was particularly enjoyable. I also thought the plot of Dark Defender was paced more evenly and started off with more of a bang...both literally and figuratively...than the first book. As far as the characters, I enjoyed Brenna's spunky, indomitable spirit even when faced with horrific loss and unbelievable reality. Trahern was a favorite character in the first book, so I was also pleasantly surprised to get a bit of backstory on him and see him developed a bit more. Jarvis was a nice addition to the Paladins (though he was sort of two dimensional and not too individual - there sure are a lot of John Doe's in the Paladin ranks). Frankly, I don't have any big complaints about the lead characters or the romance part of this paranormal romance.

It's the rest of it that gives me some trouble.

I'm struggling with being honestly critical without overly spoiling the plot, so I don't know how much detail I can get into here, but some things need to be said. I was willing to let a lot of unanswered questions and undefined world/mythos parameters go in the first book because it was, in fact, a first book of a series, but after finishing the second book, I'm starting to get a little concerned. I don't feel the world of the Paladins and their rather large-seeming organization is very well defined for the reader in either book. Yes, we got nearly a Venn diagram of the structure of the Paladin organization in this one, but not enough of the overall picture and the people (beyond Paladins) involved in that picture to feel truly satisfying. And even those non-Paladins in the overall organization are treated more like barely-tolerated nearly-enemies to the cause than actual comrades in the fight against Other invasion.

Also, everything about this series so far feels very much like the reader is being told how things are for the Paladins, and it sucks, but everyone is resigned to just live with that same status quo they've been living in for millennia despite technological, medical, and communication advancements. Nothing has changed for the Paladins and no one seems to care to make that change (except for one lonely handler who is in love with one Paladin...and that was the driving plot of the first book). And that includes the Paladins who live their lives with a death sentence over their heads! I do not understand that "this is how things have always been so that's just how it is" mentality in the characters and without some reason why, or some far more in-depth world definition, this aspect of the series is not working for me at all. It makes the books and the series feel very two dimensional. Even mentions of attempts and failures would be something to show that doctors, scientist, historians, and others were a bit more...human (what scientist do you know that isn't interested in solving big problems like the Paladins turning Other?) and this would definitely flesh out the world a bit more.

There are also some things in Dark Defender that really struck me as wrong. A large continuity error between this book and the last comes to mind first. In Dark Protector, Devlin is teetering on the brink of turning when he's killed at the beginning of the book and his "revival" takes five days. It's stated that three is about the norm. In this book (and I'm really trying not to include major spoilers) that no longer seems to be the case. That's a problem that an editor should have caught, because it's a defining point of the Paladins as a group/species/whatever. Smaller but equally annoying issues: Brenna just suffered a tragedy and she's hopping on Blake's...er...bandwagon...a little too soon after for me to truly buy her decisions. It could have been written more like a comforting thing, or an affirmation of life thing and I would've bought that. Lust and a youth of unrequited love wasn't motivation enough given the nature of the tragedy (IMO).

Barak the Other we meet in the first book is still not explained. If the race is so bloodthirsty and wrong, why isn't he...and why is no one asking that question? And in the first book it indicated that Others that escape the tunnels spread dissonance in our world and pollute it because of it. Even the ones that blend in versus the ones that go on a killing rampage. So...explain Barak to me again?

And still no answers as to why the Others want over here so bad, no glimmer of interest in finding out motivation, or improving the way to deal with them, either. Just an almost childlike fascination with gems that don't exist in our world and an odd wonder about what their value would be to the people in the organization double crossing the Paladins and taking them as bribes. But...just how are they doing that - making contact with the Others to get that payment and make those bribes if every time the barrier drops the Paladins are there to kick butt? How did it start?? When would the first muckity-muck to turn against the Paladins even get that original opportunity?

Oh...one other thing...how did the judge know from the first moment that Blake was a Paladin?? Are Regents psychic? Do they have some sort of genetic detector we don't know about? Was it foretold somewhere? Did Blake heal really wicked fast in front of him?

Argh! There's so much of this series that frustrates me because so much of it strains my willing suspension of disbelief until it borders on bad story telling. And yet, I really do think the concept behind the Paladins is interesting and fresh. Plus, I'm always going to be a sucker for paranormal romance, so I'm way more forgiving of big plot holes and general contradictions than I would be in any other genre, so long as the romance works for me. And again, Blake and Brenna's worked for me. This is by no means my favorite paranormal romance series (too many others do it significantly better than Morris), and I fear I'm destined to be disappointed by all the things that the series could be but isn't, yet I can't help but like the Paladins as people and feel for their plight, so I guess I'll continue the series for a little while longer, at least. But to get higher than a three-star rating from me is going to take some serious work, full stop.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Christel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the 1st and had to read the second. This is a continuation of the Paladins of Darkness series.

Blake Trahern is a Paladin, a seriously deadly one at that. Major ALPHA-MALE here ladies. He is part of the Seattle group of Paladins but travels home to the St. Louis area to investigate his patrons murder.

Brenna is the daughter of Blakes patron, Judge Nichols. Judge Nichols was murdered by a car bomb that injured Brenna. Brenna has been in love with Blake for many years but he disappeared 12 years ago and she has been hurt by his disapperance. Blake also has feelings for her but he is close to the edge of turning into one of the Others. If that happens they will put Blake down.

I loved this one. Blake does come over as one mean, arrogant SOB, he did in the first book of the series as well. But that is him, he is teetering so close to the edge of insanity it is scary. At first Breanna argues with him over everything but once he explains what is going on and what he is, things do get better. I loved the ending of the book. and that is all I will say about that.

Next, Barack's story, he is an Other that Laurel saved at the end of the first book

[Panichaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gonna give it a 3, but it was because of the laast 30 or 40 pages or so that increased the rating.

I gotta say, while I enjoyed this book very much, I had a very difficult time turning the pages. It doesn't keep me interested for long...I don't know where to point out...but it lacked something.

Blake was my favorite(so far)...but Brenna annoyed me so, so much in the beginning to the point where I can't even like her later on in the book when she had come to her senses.

Another thing is, Jarvis doesn't stand out to me. He's just...I don't know...another character (that's why I want to read his book ASAP to see if it'll change my mind). Not just him though, but I think the Paladins in this book doesn't have the charms or close friendship factors as the Seattle's Paladins, and I found it boring.

[Erin Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best new series I have found in a while. The premis is very original and not a copy of so many others out there.

As with many other paranormal romance series this book, the second in the series, is used to further build on the mystery within the overall series while solving a small piece of the puzzle. Morgan leaves you wanting more and needing to know what will happen next.

I think my favorite part of the series is there are several mysteries going on at once:
-Why do the Paladins go mad and how to save them?
-Why do the Others keep coming over?
-Who is the traitor?

I can't wait for the next book.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot. The hero and heroine knew each other when they were kids so they had a nice history that made it easy to jump into their romance together. They both complimented each other well and despite all his rough edges (or maybe even because of them) the hero made for a great character. I liked getting more into the Paladin world and seeing a different base with new people. I also am glad the author gave the reader more information on the Regents and their position in the Paladin hierarchy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was totally involved with this one from the start. Can't believe I'm done already. Can't wait to start the next one. HIGHLY recommended series.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

หนังสือเล่มที่สองในชุดแพลลาดิน เล่าเรื่องของตัวละครตามสูตรสำเร็จหนังสือชุด ซึ่งจะต้องมี

- หัว หน้าใหญ่ทีเป็นผู้นำกลุ่ม ซึ่งถ้าเรื่องของเขาไม่ถูกเล่าเป็นคนแรก ก็จะถูกเล่มเป็นเล่มท้าย ๆ ในชุด (อย่างที่เดฟลินเป็นเล่มแรกในชุดนี้ และว่าเรธเป็นเล่มแรกในชุดแบล็กเด็กเกอร์ หรืออย่างที่แฟนหนังสือต้องรอคอยเรื่องราวของแอชรอน และมาลาไค)

- แบดบอย สมาชิกในกลุ่มที่มีเสน่ห์เหลือเฟือ เป็นเสือผู้หญิง สาวตามกันเกรียว หน้าตาดีกว่าปกติ (เมื่อปกติแปลว่าหล่อมาอยู่แล้ว)

- ทรมานเหลือเกิน สมาชิกที่มีอดีตอันแสนเจ็บปวด เคยโดนทรยศอย่างสาหัส จนมองโลกในแง่ร้ายสุดสุด

- อัจฉริยะ ทางคอมพิวเตอร์ สมาชิกที่มีระดับไอคิวเฉียดเทพเจ้า เก่งกาจด้านอิเล็กทรอนิคเป็นที่สุด แต่ดูหลุดโลก หน้าตาหล่อ แต่ชอบทำผมกระเซิง

- อันตราย สะบัด ตัวละครที่ดูภายนอกแล้วเป็นกึ่งผู้ร้ายกลายร่างมา แต่หัวใจพวกนี้ทำด้วยทอง เพราะดีโคตร ในเล่มก่อนหน้าที่เขาจะเป็นพระเอก จะมีเสียงเล่าลือถึงพฤติกรรมเถื่อนโหดในอดีต แต่เราก็จะรู้ความจริงในเล่มของเขาว่าไม่เป็นความจริงเลย และเล่มหลังจากเจอนางเอกแล้ว จะกลายเป็นตัวละครขี้เล่น น่ารัก ชีวิตจะโสภายิ่งกว่าสภาพรเสียอีก บางครั้งตัวละครแนวนี้ก็จะถูกรวมกับกลุ่มทรมานเหลือเกิน เพื่อเพิ่มแรงกดดันให้กับคนอื่นมากยิ่งขึ้น จะได้บีบหัวใจเยอะ ๆ

แล้วเบลคพระเอกของ ผู้ป้องกันมืด นี่ล่ะ เป็นแบบไหน

แม็กซ์จัดให้อยู่ในกลุ่มสุดท้ายนะ เพราะในเล่มแรก (Dark Protector) เบลคเป็นตัวละครที่โดดเด่น เพราะเป็นแพลลาดินที่อยู่ในขอบแห่งความเป็นมนุษย์ ทุกคนรู้ว่า ขึ้นอยู่กับเวลาเท่านั้นก่อนที่เบลคจะสูญเสียความเป็นมนุษย์หมดไป และจะต้องถูกกำจัดโดยแฮนเดอร์เลอร์ผู้ดูแลเขา

เบลคก็รู้ความจริงนี้ดี แต่ก่อนที่เขาจะตาย เขาขอใช้เวลาที่เหลือเพื่อปกป้องเบรนน่า หญิงสาวที่กุมหัวใจเขาไว้ตั้งแต่เมื่อบิดาของเธอเก็บเขามาเลี้ยง เบลคเป็นเด็กข้างถนน เขาไม่รู้ว่า ตัวตนที่แท้จริงของตนเป็นอะไร แต่พ่อของเบรนน่าแนะนำให้เขารู้จักกับแพลลาดิน มองภารกิจอันยิ่งใหญ่ให้เขา ทำให้เขาเป็นมากกว่าเด็กจรจัด แต่เขารู้ว่าแพลลาดินทุกคนมีเวลาอยู่อย่างจำกัด พวกเขาอาจฆ่าไม่ตาย แต่ทุกครั้งที่พวกเขาตาย ความเป็นมนุษย์ของพวกเขาจะหมดลงเรื่อย ในที่สุดพวกเขาก็ต้องถูกกำจัดโดยกลุ่มคนที่พวกเขาใช้ชิวิตทั้งชีวิตปก ป้องอยู่ และเวลาของเบลคก็เข้าใกล้จุดนั้นเต็มที

เรื่องนี้แทบจะต่อเนื่องกับเล่มก่อน เมื่อเดฟลิน (พระเอกเล่มก่อน) สืบรู้ว่ามีหนอนบ่อนไส้ในรีเจนท์ (รีเจนท์คืออะไร ก็กลับไปอ่านบลอกก่อนหน้าแล้วกันค่ะ) เขาจึงให้เบลคสืบติดตามต่อ ซึ่งเบลครู้ดีว่ามีเพียงพ่อของเบรนน่าเพียงคนเดียวเท่านั้นในกลุ่มรีเจนท์ ที่เขาเชื่อใจได้ แต่แล้วการติดต่อของเขาก็นำไปสู่การลอบสังหารพ่อของหญิงที่เขารัก

ซึ่งนั่นบังคับให้เบลคต้องกลับไปใกล้ชิดกับหญิงสาวที่เขาใช้เวลาทั้งชีวิ��หลีกหนี เพื่อปกป้องเธอ

แม็กซ์ชอบเล่มนี้มากกว่าเล่มแรก อาจเพราะแม็กซ์รู้สึกได้ถึงความรักที่มีของทั้งคู่อย่างชัดเจน และเช่นเดียวกัน พระนางในเรื่อง แม้จะคิดหาเหตุผลร้อยแปดถึงความไม่เหมาะสมของกันและกัน ก็ไม่เคยหมดศรัทธาในความรัก พวกเขาไม่อาจห้ามใจตัวเองได้ โดยเบรนน่าที่กล้าพอที่จะเอื้อมมือไปรั้งตัวผู้ชายที่เธอรัก (และรักเธอ) เอาไว้

และเช่นเดียวกัน หนังสือเล่มนี้อาจอยู่ในชุดของการต่อสู้ระหว่างแพลลาดินและคนจากโลกอื่น แต่ผู้ร้ายตัวจริงกลับไม่ใช่คนนอกโลกของเราเลย กลับเป็นมนุษย์ด้วยกันนี่แหละ

คะแนนที่ 73 ค่ะ

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Explícito). Continúan tras la pista de los traidores dentro de la regencia. Me gustó, y mucho, en especial que se centre mitad Brenna y Blake y mitad de los misteriosos traidores. Y que conforme va avanzando la trama, también lo haga su relación y la investigación. Me encantó que Brenna no aceptara de inmediato la historia de los paladines y los otros que Blake le contó, se tomó su tiempo para que poco a poco de ver las cosas con sus propios ojos y formar conclusiones (aunque ella sabía en su corazón que Blake le decía la verdad), y con lo que le dejó su padre, finalmente creyó en lo que le decía Blake sobre la doble vida de su padre; también me gustó que ella estuviera dispuesta a aceptar todo lo que pudiera / le diera Blake durante el tiempo que pudieran, sin importar que después no estuvieran juntos (decidió aprovechar y amarlo), ella sabía que lo seguía queriendo. Blake, pasó su niñez en las calles hasta que el padre de Brenna se convirtió como en su tutor (en si creo que porque el juez sabía o presentía que Blake era un paladín) y se fue a vivir con ellos durante su adolescencia ( y en ese entonces ya sentía algo por Brenna, por eso se alejó, bueno fue una de las razones). Y se vuelven a encontrar debido a que Blake confiaba en el juez y entre ellos estaban investigando sobre la traición del guardia que quiso matar a Devlin y luego a Laurel, solo que el juez se acercó demasiado y los traidores decidieron callarlo para siempre. Por lo que Blake regresó a su ciudad de origen y a Brenna. Ya sabemos como terminaron; mucha pasión entre ambos. ... Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas y de otros personajes, como algunos traidores. ...

[S.R. Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely entertaining and a bit sexy which I liked a lot.

Brenna was a bit dense in the beginning, and I get it, she was being told some pretty unbelievable stuff about people she thought she knew, but some stuff was happening right in front of her, and she still didn't believe it.

Overall, the continuing story line is actually really interesting. I have more questions than answers specifically in reference to the "others" and their world. Where did they come from? Are they humans, and if so, how did they get to wherever they are?

I am looking forward to continuing the series.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a good story, love the continuity from the first one. Only thing that bothered me in this one was how quickly the two characters fell for each other. Chemistry felt really rushed in the beginning, but by the end I was happy they were together.

[Danielle Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Paladin book.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the book started slow, once the book picked up speed I really enjoyed it.

[Alejandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same old, same old.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more back story is revealed, but not nearly enough. Good to learn Trahern's story as we dig deeper into the mystery plaguing the Paladins.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been drawn in! I really liked the second book, more than the first, I think because the main character was more interesting to me. It's a nice light read and I will continue with the series.

[Quiqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well i finished it. I'm not sure if i want to read more. Only time will tell

[ElCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little long on the story.

[Amanda Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Connie book #2

Yay, another hot n' heavy paranormal romance with varying degrees of both.

How did it stack up? Mnnnneh I dunno. The paranormal aspect doesn't seem fleshed out very well. I mean, I could sort of understand the mythology and world building but I really don't get it. Not to sound like a fuddy duddy or somebody with no imagination whatsoever but why go through all these lengths to create this race but only give the males this heightened sense of blood lust/code of honor/battle readiness and stamina? (sexual and otherwise) There is the aspect of danger in the fact that Paladins become this alien creature as they get older that they are unable to stop but I feel like this isn't given enough weight in the story. Blake just sort of drops this fact and he and Brenna go back to having sex. Like...why should I care or if I do care, why does the book not care?
I'd almost want it to go either A) make Paladins more otherworldly and alien or B) drop the whole Paladin thing and just make him a normal guy.

The first half to third of the book is actually better than the rest. I think once the mystery plot starts unraveling, the seams start showing. Its weird, its like a mirror-verse version of the kinds of books I usually read: the magic, mystery and plot-related things are given a small pie-slice and then quickly shoved into the closet for the leads to suck face.

"But Amanda," you say, "What about the romance?"


Don't make me laugh.
Still...I will give them credit: the leads are likeable. Likeable-ish. I didn't want them to die in a fire so that's good. Give yourself a hand, Ms. Morgan.
Their arc (from Estranged Adopted Siblings to Grudging Respect to Lust to Love) is fine, I suppose but the fact that Brenna has made her peace to stay with Blake and get used to the fact that he...can't die (I dunno. I think they have super healing or something. I forget the details of it) but I never got the impression that this made him anything but a buff guy with a lot of stamina who will occasionally goes into Battle Mode and heals fast.
He's still human but these extra features don't come together enough to make him not-human, if that makes sense. I guess there's the extra thing when he's still in Battle Mode, he's scary and dangerous and oh, how could you love a man that is so dangerous? That too isn't given enough weight for the main character to think about and not even something the feminist in me would think of as part of an unhealthy relationship. Its just kinda...there.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Defender
4 Stars

Synopsis:
As a Paladin, Blake Trahern fights and dies over and over in the battle against the Others who threaten to invade our world. Now he finds himself reunited with a woman from his past and swears to protect her against a traitor among the Paladins but will he be able to save her and himself when the time comes.

Review:
A solid continuation of the series. Morgan’s writing and dialogue is smooth but her world building is still lacking sufficient detail to completely flesh it out. Hopefully this will be remedied in the next book as the hero, Barak, it one of the Others and his story will provide the perfect opportunity to compare the two worlds in-depth.

The characterization has improved with the provision of more comprehensive background information on Blake’s childhood and adolescence, something that is missing for Devlin’s character in the first book. Brenna is also a strong and likeable heroine, and the fact that she does not immediately believe Blake’s explanations and has trouble accepting the idea of who he is and what he does goes a long way to suspending the reader’s disbelief.

Blake and Brenna’s romance is consequently stronger and more believable than in book one and their shared back story also contributes to the plausibility of their relationship. The reunion between past acquaintances/friends/lovers is a favorite theme of mine and it is well developed in this installment. However, while it is clear that Blake and Brenna will end up together (this is a paranormal romance after all), the final resolution of their relationship is somewhat lackluster and disappointing.

The conspiracy plot continues and takes on additional layers. However, the villain is more annoying than threatening and there is very little buildup of tension and suspense. Moreover, the search for a cure to the Paladins worsening condition does not develop any further and this is frustrating.

In sum, the underlying concept of the series is intriguing and the books are enjoyable. I look forward to reading the next one.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a change of scenery, DARK DEFENDER takes us away from the Seattle Paladins as we follow Trahern to St. Louis. I liked getting to meet some other Paladins and see more of the extensive network of Regents, Paladins, and Handlers. In the first book, Trahern is told the next death could easily tip him over the edge of turning Other. Trahern isn't the most cuddly of guys, to begin with, but knowing he's so close to the edge leaves a heavy shadow over him. Even with Trahern's grumpy and short-tempered demeanor, it's clear how much he cares for Brenna and how determined he is to make his old mentor proud. These Paladins have a core of honor and Alexis Morgan never had me doubting Trahern even when he let his dark moods get the best of him.

Brenna was the perfect heroine for Trahern; with her intelligence, courage, and compassion she can stand beside Trahern or even stand up to him if needed. Brenna's been through a nightmare losing her father right in front of her but she's a fighter. She never gives up and once she understands Trahern's true nature and the world he lives in, she accepts and welcomes him as he is. More than anything, Trahern needed to know someone loved and cared for him since he never had that growing up until he met the Judge.

As a couple, Brenna and Trahern have a slower burn, mostly due to circumstances. They're on the run for a bit and Brenna is recovering from her injuries, but once these two give into their feelings it's all fireworks. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Trahern had a wicked sense of humor that would show up every once in a while. I loved those moments when he loosened up and once he learned that he could get on Brenna's nerves and fire her up, he didn't hold back.

[Aneca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested enough in the first book in this series to get this one but I have to confess this didn't hold my attention as much as the first one. The main chracter here is Blake Trahern. In the first book he is almost losing his humanity and both Laurel and Bane are worried about him. Now he must discover who killed his former mentor, and one of the Regents, Judge Nichols, while he also protects Nichols's daughter Brenna against the same killer and discovers what the Judge was investigating that got him killed.

The romance was ok, this was an unrequited love story and I have no problem with those - no preference either - but the fact that Blake first got the hots for Brenna when she was 14 sounded a bit too early for me. And since it's been quite a while that they've been in touch I would have expected that they spend some time getting reacquainted with each other before jumping into a relationship...

The thing is that the world building is still a bit fuzzy. There are a bunch of secondary characters, a few more are introduced here, but I still don't get why the Others continue to invade the Earth and what exactly are they and what kind of world they live in. And why one particular Other is different from the rest? There's a bit more about that in this one but not enough to make it work for me. There are several villains in this story, besides the Others, but we still haven't discovered who is really calling the shots agains the Paladins.

Morgan seems to be setting up Jarvis, another Paladin introduced in this sory, as a potential hero of a future book but to be honest I'm not sure that I will be continuing this series...

Grade: 3/5