Demon Blood

The Guardians #6

by Meljean Brook

Long before she was transformed into a Guardian and trained to fight demons, Rosalia knew darkness all too well. Raised by a demon, Rosalia learned to guard her heart -- and her soul -- until she found a man worthy of her love. Once, she thought that man would be the powerful vampire, Deacon…until he betrayed the Guardians.

After losing everything to the lies of a demon, Deacon lives only for revenge -- and is taken aback when Rosalia offers to help. A vampire who has nothing -- who is nothing -- isn’t worthy of her attention. But Rosalia wants to do more than just look, and the explosive need between them can’t be held in check. And when Deacon’s vengeful quest creates a dangerous alliance of their enemies, she will be his only hope…

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Angels, Fantasy, Demons

440 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Book info: I am the author of the Iron Seas steampunk romance series. I've written a guide to the world (including a map) on my website.

I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.

Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.

Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.

Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[aarya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalia came up with a diabolical plan in chapter two and spent the rest of the book positioning all the players — Guardians, demons, vampires — like chess pieces destined for slaughter. We stan a mastermind. As for Deacon: Meljean Brook deserves an award for the amount of self-loathing and angst she packed into the hero, lol.

I truly am going to to the frozen field due to my new membership in the Michael Defense Squad. Even when he does questionable shit like mind control and attempted homicide of the hero (sorry, Deacon, but Michael was within his rights!!). Someone help me. 😭

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deacon, a once a much respected vampire leader now has a vendetta. When his two vampire lovers were kidnapped by a demon, he had no choice but to betray the Guardian angels who are tying their best to stop an apocalypse on Earth from happening. Deacon did what he had to do, but in the end it was all for naught because the demon ended up slaughtering his people and turning his two lovers to dust. Michael, the Doyen, who has ruled over the Guardians, sacrificed himself to stop those evil powers in Hell from destroying the Earth, but all for a price. Deacon is now no longer safe. Rosalia, a guardian, wants nothing more than to keep Deacon alive and close by for not only his protection, but because of her deep desire for him.

Six months after the mass vampire killings, the Guardians are in a tailspin. The recently murdered and former detective turned Guardian Taylor is being controlled by Michael as he suffers in Hell. Taylor stalks Deacon nightly in order to kill him by no choice of her own. Rosalia takes it upon herself to watch over Deacon and teams up with him as he travels through Europe, taking down demons that pretend to be vampires for the purpose of eliminating the vampire community off the face of the Earth.

Deacon suffers from guilt and the loss of his loved ones as Rosalia tries to help him heal. But there is danger from all sides and Deacon refuses to forgive himself and allow Rosalia into his heart. Both must come to terms with their past and be very aware that the future for humans, vampires and even the guardians themselves may end in catastrophe all because of a age old prophecy that is close to be fulfilled.

Demon Blood is raw, dark and full of tension where you have no idea how things will end. This latest addition in Meljean Brook's Guardian Novel series is leading the reader to the final countdown that has been building up steadily over the past six books.

After reading Demon Forged, which was my favorite book from last year and almost ripped my heart out from the intensity and deep emotion, I wasn't sure what to expect with Demon Blood. Deacon and Rosalia's journey for their own HEA in Demon Blood is a very long and sometimes a tedious one. These two are very strong willed individuals, and because of that, they are constantly at odds with one another. They push and pull back and forth and it causes their relationship to suffer. Deacon is a very dedicated individual who loves deeply. We see this as he comes to terms with the loss of his two lovers and old friends who have turned their back on him. Rosalia wants his regard and love, but he keeps her away. Deacon doesn't mind acting on their attraction, but he refuses to let Rosalia know the true him. Make no mistake, the attraction and lust between these two smolders below the surface, and when it explodes, you'll need to suck on a few ice cubes. The love scenes are almost animalistic in nature and won't disappoint. Emotions are running high in Demon Blood where so many lines are being crossed.

I had more of emotional connection with Deacon. I think it was because Deacon was truly all alone with no support or anyone to turn to. Rosalia is more than willing to help him and I do believe she would die for him if she had to. There is so much anger and disappoint coming from both that there was never a moment where they could relax and try to work out things together. It also doesn't help that everywhere Deacon turns Taylor is there to snuff him out. For the first time since reading this series, I was so angry at Michael. But I trust he'll be redeemed. (Can Meljean really be that evil and not give Michael peace?)

Meljean is one of the most talented authors today writing masterful paranormal romances. I found Demon Blood both equally awesome and frustrating at times. This is a book that will blow your mind away by the sheer story building and the incredible depth of the characters.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardian Rosalia and Vampire Deacon take center stage in Demon’s Blood, MelJean Brook’s sixth entry in her excellent Guardians series, as the battle between good and evil is threatening the destruction of the vampire communities of the world and the Guardians, their numbers dwindling, seek to protect the humans from a powerful insane immortal player who may very well wipe out Humanity in her efforts to save humans from themselves.

Deacon and Rosalia both had significant roles in the last book, Demon Forged, (which can’t be summarized without revealing spoilers) but the pair actually have even more of a history than Deacon realizes. An encounter which occurred during Deacon’s human lifetime, significant to Rosalia but one which Deacon can’t even recall, has caused Rosalia to watch over Deacon ever since and – unknown to Deacon – Rosalia has occasionally stepped in to protect Deacon or to set him on a happier path. Rosalia’s admired how Deacon has come through setbacks in the past, even ones which wounded his spirit, and has still remained a good man. Now it remains to be seen if Deacon can survive the betrayal and loss which are now at the core of his being when his plan for dealing with his pain is a suicidal mission of revenge fueled by his self-destructive anger.

Both of the leads have suffered a great deal of loss and both losses are tinged by guilt. Rosalia has lost just as much as Deacon and though she’s protective of everyone she’s cared for she’s had no one to take care of her. But where Deacon is a fighter striking out with his anger much as he did with his fists when a loss of faith turned him from ship’s Deacon to boxer during his human days, Rosalia holds on to her faith. But now instead of praying and hoping for the best, Rosalia is acting on that faith. The result of Rosalia’s move to protect humans from both Belial’s demons and Anaria and the nephilim is really incredible and this background plot, which is doled out slowly over the course of the book, makes Demon’s Blood so much more than a paranormal romance. Rosalia’s intelligence and understanding of the natures of her friends and enemies and the way that she manages to put all of the pieces into play for the big conflict is really wonderful.

From a romance standpoint Demon’s Blood is one of the more difficult relationships of Brook’s Guardian parings. There is a great deal of emotional intensity to Rosalia and Deacon’s interactions but rarely in Demon’s Blood do we have the opportunity to bask in the afterglow since moments of intimacy or passion between Rosalia and Deacon are often followed by anger, hurt and rejection - Deacon has just too much baggage for sweet and romantic. The language is also coarser than in previous books, this is a reflection of Deacon’s personality, he’s dangerous and although Deacon is intelligent, he’s rough, quick to act and lives in the moment.

On my first read through I wasn’t sure if Deacon was really worth it, Rosalia puts up with way too many rejections and harsh words from Deacon in order to steal a few moments of happiness for herself but on thinking on it a bit more I realized that Rosalia and Deacon really both share that sense of unworthiness, neither really believe that they deserve to be loved, fortunately Rosalia clues in on this midway through the story and doesn’t put up with less than she deserves – and on the second read, I decided that Deacon was what she deserved.

So the bottom line is that more fascinating and well developed characters, a really smart and satisfying plot, and only one small nit for series old timers - two straight info dumps to layout the Guardian world and its mythos - make Demon’s Blood another winner from Brook. And Good news for us fans, Brook has the go ahead to finish up the series with “DEMON MARKED in August 2011, a novella in the Angels of Darkness anthology in October 2011, and Michael’s book in 2012”.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Originally Read 7/5/10 - 7/6/10*

Rosalia and Deacon play the lead in this book. If you've read the last book in the series, Demon Forged, you'll know the connection that Rosalia and Deacon have. If you haven't read Demon Forged I would not recommend you read this book. Too many things happened in the last book for you to skip it. The Guardians were fundamentally changed, and the back story for Deacon is played out in it.

I liked Rosalia and Deacon, but I think they had a hard time living up to my love of the characters in the last book. They're both great characters, but they're more subdued then the tempestuous relationship between Irena and Alejandro. This book is great, but it also has the feel of a set up book.

One of the best things about the characters this author creates is that they have real vulnerabilities and insecurities. They don't come off as flat characters, they feel real. Deacon is consumed by self loathing over his apparent failure to save his people. He made a deal with a demon and got burned for it. He wanted to die, but he pulled himself up and tried to find a purpose for himself. He cannot see the good in himself anymore. Because of the way he views himself he cannot believe that anyone would think he was worth anything. That's a major stumbling block in the path to relationship bliss for him and Rosalia.

Rosalia has a past consumed by what she considers her many failures. When she loves, she puts the wants and needs of that person ahead of her own. She'll take pain and heartache and never show it, she'll just move past it. Even with her horrible past she is still an optimist. She is optimistic that one day she'll be able to break that character flaw. :) Rosalia is not like many of the Guardians we have seen in the past. She does not have the history or connection with the other Guardians that most of them have. She has spent most of her time as a Guardian keeping her brother in line and watching over her vampires. She's always got a plan, and a back up plan.

In this book her plan is something so bold and daring that it will either be a huge victory for the Guardians or will be responsible for a lot of deaths. I liked the risks that Rosalia took with her role as a Guardian. She had to confront some hard truths about where the line really is between demons and Guardians. Is it just good intentions? Rosalia goes beyond the line most Guardians are willing to cross, all for the sake of the greater good.

I'm so glad that we got to see a lot of Taylor in this book. After what happened to her in the last book, I was dying to see what was happening with her. This book shows a rough time for Taylor. She's struggling with her new role of Guardian, and trying to keep control of her mind and body. What Michael did had a harsh consequence for Taylor. She's in a dominance struggle for her own body. I think that when Taylor and Michael get their book, they're going to have a lot of issues to work out before they get their HEA. Hell has stripped a lot of layers of Michael's humanity from him. He is down to instinctual emotion and reactions. Before the end, we find out why he's been struggling with Taylor, and we finally learn why Michael never wears shoes.

I can't wait for the next book. This world gets more and more interesting with every book. I can't wait until 2012, when we get Michael's book, but I dread saying goodbye to this series.

[Bookaholics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Blood by Meljean Brook
Paranormal Romance -July 6th, 2010
4 1/2 stars

Demon Blood is a romance filled with exhilarating imagination and sweeping fantasy. The complex story and deep characterization make this book very in depth. I would not generally recommend this book for first time readers of this author. Although not impossible, I would highly recommend reading at least one of her prior books since it will give readers a fuller and richer appreciation for this multi faceted series.

In Demon Blood we are treated to the story of Rosalina, a Guardian who fights demons and protects humans and the innocent. Her life has been filled with pain and loneliness. She fights even when she knows her cause may be hopeless. But now she needs help. For the last Guardian battle has decimated their ranks and if their enemy the demons knew that there were so few of them…there would be a catastrophe. Rosalina knows that demons are planning to take over the vampires and built their power base for an ultimate take over. She refuses to let this happen but as a Guardian she is bound by Rules to do no harm. And if she doesn't follow them she will no longer be a Guardian to protect those she cares for. So she deviously asks for aid from a vampire who does not have such limitations or boundaries...

The powerful vampire known as Deacon seeks his own brand of vengeance against the demons who murdered the vampire under his rule. Clouded by pain and anger Deacon doesn't care who gets in his way. Although he finds Rosalina attractive her pleas to persuade him to try to help her at first fall upon deaf ears. He wants nothing to do with Rosalina even if he secretly dreams of her. But what Deacon doesn't know is that Rosalina knows far more about Deacon than he imagines and she realizes only Deacon is strong enough for her plans to succeed. But how can she persuade a man who only wants revenge?

The most powerful thing about this book is the deep pain and suffering the main characters carried, particularly Rosalina who never feels she is good enough. (Even though she has saved hundreds if not thousands of lives.) This lack of self worth and feeling of being undeserving make Rosalina a lonely and sympathetic character that is easy to identify with. Her empathy and understanding as she sacrifices her own happiness so others can have a better life is tragic as it made this reader want her happiness all the more. Rosalina was truly a noble and heroic character. I love learning more about her and how she became a Guardian. I also enjoyed how the book showed how much Rosalina loved Deacon all these centuries and tried to help him but feels unable to tell him her true feelings. Especially since she fears he might feel betrayed and manipulated by her hidden guidance. This secret love and later Deacon’s love for her which he thinks is unreturned make for a book filled with fierce angst and absorbing emotional tension. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart and not a quick read.

Gripping, heart wrenching and richly textured Demon Blood is an emotional story bursting with epic fantasy.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to state up front that I LOVE the Guardian series. The mythology is interesting and unique, the story lines are exciting, the romance is sizzling, and Meljean does such an amazing job with character development that I am sad to say good-bye when I finish reading each story. Demon Blood is no exception to this.

Picking up where Demon Forged ended, we find Guardian Rosalia recovered from her “abduction” and back in her own territory fighting demons. She runs into vampire (and traitor) Deacon once night, 6 months after she saved his life. She begins to formulate a detailed plan that will get rid of several mutual enemies and begins to convince Deacon he needs to join her.

Immediately I was drawn to this couple. They each have a longing and ache to be with one another, but their individual and mutual pasts block the way. Their story is heartbreaking and I was routing for them to get together right away. And when I finally thought it was going to happen, my heart was ripped out. [MILD SPOILER:] In an intense scene that emotionally crushes both characters, Deacon assumes that Rosalia will allow him to sexually use her just to get him to help her with her plans. Oh, the drama! I was in tears for both characters.

But as much as I was cheering for Rosie and Deacon, I became a bit annoyed with their constant “misunderstandings” and his assumption that she would only use him, never love him. When Rosalia hints about her mutual past with Deacon, he immediately assumes she means some other man, even though the story matches his own life. I was relieved when FINALLY Rosalia walked away and said “no more.” (Relieved because it was action, but it broke my heart.) In the end, they do get their HEA (happily ever after), but it was a long road to travel. Even the ending that brings them together included yet another misunderstanding and more assumptions. That did taint their story a bit for me. However, their romance was smokin’, and Meljean continues to write some of the hottest smex scenes around.

I enjoyed the side stories as well - mostly seeing a Guardian as a parent. The story dealt with some bigger “life” issues that have not been discussed from a Guardian point-of-view before. The scenes between future daughter-in-law, Gemma, son, Vin, and Rosalia were excellent. I also enjoyed the progression of the overall story line with the nephil and demons. I missed seeing most of my favorite characters (including the lovely Savi and Colin), but I loved the focus on new Guardian, Taylor. I cannot wait to see where Meljean takes the story next.

My Rating: #4 stars.

[Hbeebti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book gets better and better. I think I love this one the most though. Deacon was the biggest jerk ( love it) so full of brooding angst. UGH! So much self loathing. Rosie was so sweet and mothering to everyone. Her son Vin pissed me off a few times.

Rose wants the demons to pay for killing her friends and family and that plan includes Deacon to help get rid of them. Deacon wants to kill them all for taking away everything that he loves as well but without Rose. He wants to go at it alone. He pushes away by the end one to many times.Will they work it out? You have to read to find out. It was cool however how Taylor was included so much in this one. I was sad that there wasnt a way out for Michael yet.But it was crazy how he was there in her head. Wonder if he will go to the dark side later after all that he was gone through?

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Guardians series and probably my favourite. This is a very complex world and mythology and though a great series usually needs quite concentrated reading. After a recap in the first chapters reminding us of the Guardians world this book flows really well and the featured couple, Deacon and Rosalia are great. Unusual for this series, there is not a lot of presence of previous couples and this actually worked in this story's favour, the storyline is quite contained and you don't have to remember multiple plots. I must admit though I missed the hellhound Sir Pup who is my favourite character.

This is a 4.5 stars read. As there are only two more books in the series, the action is ramping up for a spectacular ending.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth in the Guardians paranormal romance series that revolves around a group of semi-angels and vampires who protect mankind. The couple focus here is on Rosalia and Deacon and is based in Rome.


My Take
A good story with some well-deserved triumphs. YES! We get quite a bit of back history on Rosalia and the hated Lorenzo as well as Deacon. There's Rosalia's crazy plan to make the world safer for Guardians, humans, and vampires. Then there's the so-very sad "courtship" between Deacon and Rosalia which Brook does well. Talk about miscommunication and misperception. Why is it so easy to see another person's self-esteem issues and not recongize one's own? Some very nice twists in this story.

I realized as I was reading that the setup in Brook's series and the varied characters in the individual stories enable more unique connections. There is a certain expectation when you open a Guardian story about the central, ongoing theme, but each character in the stories has their own particular interest and history. Their own needs. It creates a greater sense of adventure when you crack that spine.

It's rather irritating that Brook goes on and on about Rosalia serving the Church and now they've suddenly cut her off. And that's all we get on this. She never explains how the Church has used her in the past or why they've stopped. As much as I enjoyed the wrap-up, I rather wish that Anaria could have been brought to understand that her perceptions of her "children" were off, although as fixated as she is on her dream of a kinder mankind it probably wouldn't work anyway.

I couldn't really call it a loose thread...it's more of a loose beginning. Taylor keeps ending up on Anaria's island and we never find out what the "compulsion" is that forces this.

I enjoyed Brook's description of Sardis' place...it sounds so incredibly tacky! I will be curious as to St. Croix's future activities. I don't like the sound of him.

Huh, who knew Rosalia was such a detailed planner, tracking so many bits of minutiae that I would never have considered. Then there's Khavi's criteria for separating out the potatoes...didn't see that one coming! She's such a practical little thing!


The Story
It seems that Deacon did not walk into the sun and Rosalia is happy. She has admired and respected him for ninety years and would like to know him better. And within her joy, she concocts a plan, one which could aid the Guardians and save the vampires. All it will take is destroying any shred of self-respect Deacon may still have.

The destructive events in Prague have caused other vampire communities to be more cautious around demons, yet there are always some who believe they can bargain with one. Rumor of a change in demon perspective has begun to circulate. That they no longer care to preserve the vampires, they only want their blood.

Anaria is ensnared within her own delusions about her children, the nephilim.


The Characters
Rosalia Acciaioli became a nun in her human life to escape the marriage her father had planned. A short escape as she soon became a Guardian. Lorenzo, the most feared vampire in Europe, her brother, is dead. Gemma is now engaged to Vincente, Rosalia's son. Growing up in a Guardian-vampire household, Vincente knows how to protect against evil, but Rosalia has no idea how to protect herself from her son's hate. Father Wojcinski was her liaison with the Church, now he's simply her friend. Sofia was Gemma's grandmother and she had been the housekeeper for Rosalia and her vampire family at the abbey for years until her death.

Before he was turned, James Buchanan Knox had been a preacher in the navy. Now Deacon has been a vampire for almost ninety years. Admired, respected until events in Demon Forged . Now he's reviled. He has no home, no friends. There is no hope for a betrayer. He seeks death even as he searches for and kills as many of Belial's demons as he can find. It will never be enough and he is sure to die before he can kill them all, but even one will help. He does have one advantage they don't know about.

Irena now leads the Guardians with Alejandro's help. Taylor is the new Doyen and she is struggling with Michael's invasions of her mind, fighting off the push to kill Deacon. Too new as a Guardian, there is no time for her to learn the skills she will need. Mariko and Radha pop in and out---definitely in for the girls' night! Khavi is also grigori---Zakril's sister. She has the Gift of foretelling and is working with the Guardians. Lyta is her hellhound.

Camille is with Yves now, leading the vampire community in Paris. Other vampire leaders include Tomás Lakatos in Budapest, Kyriakos Sardis in Greece, Henri David in Monte Carlo, José Carvalho in Lisbon, and Stefan in Amsterdam.

Belial's demons are still wreaking havoc on Earth while he is in Hell. Theriault is a demon while Clayton Conley, Nicholas St. Croix, and Karl Geier are possible demons contending for Rael's position at Legion. Malkvial is a more serious threat and he is still unidentified. Demons who have been sent to infiltrate the vampire communities include Benedek Farkas, Valeotes, and Fournier.

Anaria is a grigori and the mother of the nephilim, sister to Michael, and is plotting to take Lucifer's throne. Her dream is to eliminate free will, to force humans to choose to be kind. Not much of a choice to my mind...

The wars between demons and angels led to the angels creating the Guardians, humans who died giving their life to save another from demons (angels who rebelled) or nosferatu (angels who hid from the conflict) while vampires are humans attacked by nosferatu and then were brought back to life by drinking the blood of a nosferatu or a vampire. Grigori were created through magic and dragon's blood when Lucifer sent his chosen demons out to mate with humans. He wanted a race superior to man that did not have to follow the Rules. Nephilim were created by Lucifer and Anaria. Lucifer wanted grigori children who would worship him while Anaria wanted children.

Caelum was the abode of the seraphim. When the Guardians were created, the seraphim returned to Heaven and gave the city over to the Guardians.


The Cover
The cover is Rosalia all kinked out in gleaming black leather pants and boots with a cropped halter top with a lashed corset effect on the front. Her wings flared and a crossbow in one hand, this cover Rosalia is much sexier and prepped for battle than she seems in the story.

The title is Taylor's cry...it's all over her, she's just covered in Demon Blood.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:

The Plot:

A story of two broken and fundamentally flawed characters, DEMON BLOOD both resolves and perpetuates numerous epic plot arcs as these two shattered souls collide and eventually converge into one dynamic pairing. Driven by a vengeful purpose, a Guardian bravely reaches out to the vampire that has unknowingly held her heart for a century despite the rejection her touch is sure to face since its both very much unwanted and felt to be wholly undeserved.

A burning need for revenge is all that fires Deacon's eternal breath. Having gambled and lost with a demon whom held his vampire community and two vivacious consorts hostage, Deacon betrayed the Guardians in exchange for their safety thereby igniting the shocking plot altering events of DEMON FORGED. Now all that remains from Deacon's efforts is a pile of ash and a guilt ridden shell of the leader he once was. Living purely for revenge and with nothing to loose, Deacon awakes at each sunset with the single driving desire to exterminate each and every demon as pay back for the annihilation they wreaked upon those he swore to protect and failed.

Having no hope nor want of redemption, Deacon welcomes his new found position as a pariah, an outcast, shunned and condemned after his betrayal travels throughout the world yet nothing can eclipse his own poisonous self-hatred. But when the next demon on his list finds Deacon fatefully aligned with a beautiful Guardian's own vengeful mission, redemption might just find him.

Held for a year and a half as an endless blood fount for a group of nosferatu, Rosalia was released to find her family destroyed. For centuries, Rosalia cultivated her own vampire family in Rome while simultaneously protecting Europe from her tyrannical vampire brother. Raised by a demon masquerading as their father, Rosalia sacrificed herself to save a convent and became a Guardian while her brother suffered under the demon's corruption and willingly became a vampire. Filled with hope after her transformation, Rosalia sought to save her brother's corrupted soul but instead made a life as a Guardian protecting those in her brother's cruel path. Now with no family to care for and no brother to shield, Rosalia is left with nothing but her Guardian role and the need for vengeance within her heart.

When a daring plan takes shape in her mind, Rosalia conjures a very real possibility of simultaneously achieving vengeance for her murdered family as well as provide an opportunity for the Guardians to eliminate a lethal threat. But her plan must include Deacon for his fall within the vampire communities at the behest of a demon allows her the perfect set up. Now she needs only to convince him.

The Hero:

Bucking fiercely under any outside control after having been vilely manipulated by demons, Deacon pushes strongly against Rosalia's determination that he help with her mission. She hopes to use his fall from respected leader to stigma and eradicate two common enemies. Deacon couldn't care less for her reasons, he only wishes to remain on the path he's set for himself and he's determined to hurt Rosalia as much as necessary for her to understand.

Broken, beaten, grief-stricken, and guilt-ridden, Deacon's self-loathing poisons his thoughts where Rosalia's concerned. Feeling that his self worth is at zero, he can't possibly rationalize much less believe that he could and has won the love of this beautiful Guardian. Time and again he throws Rosalia's tenderness and love out his heart's window, convincing himself that her inherent need to repay another is the singular driving force leading her touch.

It's only when Deacon's soul has reached rock bottom that he finally believes Rosalia's love but by that point, it's too little too late.

The Heroine:

Rosalia understands Deacon better then he himself and while she knows the root to the poison he spews, it doesn't make the pain of his rejection hurt any less.

Virtually forgotten, Rosalia isn't well known by her fellow Guardians. A master strategist, she wraps herself in the shadow of her Gift, gathering and mentally cataloging immense data on hundreds of beings. Silently she influences and orchestrates outcomes with little to no one being the wiser. This managing nature cascades through to her personal relationships where the need to help those she loves becomes a consuming force, a driving need, making her the supreme giver. All in all, a lonely existence for nobody ever thinks to offer Rosalia their help, much less their love in return. Deacon is the first to notice this neglect and strives to take her burdens in the only way he knows how but if he's incapable of offering what Rosalia desires most - his heart - then she's left with little recourse but to walk away.

My Thoughts:

DEMON BLOOD required a slower pacing to unravel the vast complexities of its broken hero and flawed heroine. Deacon isn't the easiest hero to fall in love with. His guilt and self-hatred are like a rotting poison deep within his soul, clouding his thoughts and hindering his reactions. The reader must be consistently reminded of the reasons for his hurtful behavior or we may be inclined to give up on him. Thankfully, Ms. Brook does a wonderful job shedding light not just on Deacon's tarnished heart but also its inherent strength which miraculously hasn't diminished despite his desire for it to shrivel up and die.

While Deacon wears his anger openly on his sleeve, Rosalia is a much more difficult character to crack. Thickly layered with defenses, she shields her emotions with such strength that most have no idea of the pain she suffers as well as the burdens she bears. She's a mothering female, one that will not stop helping others even if that help is unwanted or undeserved, Rosalia will still find a why to exert her influence.

Also, Rosalia's strategist skills are beyond amazing. While Deacon focuses singularly on a one man demon extermination mission, Rosalia orchestrates not only a plan that can succeed but one that fulfills both her need for vengeance as well as eradicating a lethal threat. There's an extraordinary revelation in the novel where Deacon is overwhelming thankful for the fact that Rosalia is on their side of this epic fight. A dichotomy of kick-ass heroine and nurturing mother, Rosalia prompts the reader into standing and cheering for her right to happiness and the love she deserves.

While amazingly climatic, DEMON BLOOD doesn't quite have the finale of DEMON FORGED but this time the end result is one readers can wholly cheer for. However, I have no idea where Brook well take this series next. With only two remaining series installments, I'll despair of seeing it all come to an end but having a finite conclusion is one I anxiously await for its sure to be phenomenal.

Rather then recommend DEMON BLOOD to specific genre lovers, I gotta make a shout out to all - if you're not already reading this author, my question to you is why the hell not?! Sure the length of the series at this point is slightly daunting but once you start, I guarantee that you'll only become voracious for more.

[Vleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than some of the earlier ones. Things were better explained and I wasn't scratching my head trying to figure out why characters were reacting as they were. I thought it was great that the story began with a recap/history of events leading to this point. Really wondered if the editor had changed as it was such an improvement.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little disappointed in this one, given how much I love the previous books in this series. Two main characters with low self-esteem, one of whom has a martyr complex...sounds like my worst nightmare: two characters forever circling each other with I'm sorry's and I'm not worthy of you's. But it's Meljean Brook and she's never failed to make me care for her characters before, so I hung in there.

The worldbuilding stays superb as always. I thought it was good in its plot continuity and I'm definitely going to continue reading the series, but the romance in this book got a bit tiresome with the conflict being so dragged out and repetitive. It also felt like such a cop-out to keep Rosalia's history with Deacon a secret in order to pull it out as a last-minute 'proof' of the sincerity of her love. I guess I did already see that coming, but I had hoped it wouldn't play out like that anyway. Like Rosalia, I was frustrated that the only apparent reason Deacon came to his senses was because of the past-reveal, instead of everything they'd had together up to then. (But since she apparently only really needed to hear Deacon say he loved her to gloss over everything that had gone wrong, it was more of a problem for me than for her.) This book should've been about their emotional journey together, and if Deacon himself couldn't be convinced within their admittedly short acquaintance with each other of the strength of their connection (needing instead the past-reveal mentioned above), I don't see why I would be.

It ends with Deacon going on about wanting to prove himself worthy of her though, I'm guessing that's new for Rosalia seeing how everyone else used to only take her for granted? But dear lord, I think they would be a tiresome couple to be around. "I'm not worthy of you. I'm sorry!" "It's okay. No really, I'M sorry!"

I felt really bad for Rosalia throughout the whole book. Despite everyone's admiration for her, she never seemed to crawl out of that poor self-image zone she stuck herself in, and even more galling was how obvious it was to Deacon. Because of that, I always felt that Deacon had the upper hand in all their interactions. He felt used and at a disadvantage yes, but he was never beaten down, never failed to strike back. Meanwhile, Rosalia was everyone's emotional punching bag. Yes Deacon recognizes that and will probably help shield her from that in the future, but it doesn't reassure the reader to know that he himself had also contributed to those wounds when he was angry and hurting. Rosalia seems to have no emotional defenses of her own, and I would've liked to have felt that he wouldn't use that against her ever. Ah well.

Going off tangent - sometimes I feel a bit stupid when I cannot follow the underlying meanings alluded to in the dialogue. I still don't know WHAT exactly it is Rosalia suspects Madelyn did to St. Croix that was so depraved :(

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meljean Brook really improves from book to book regarding world-building, dialogue, characterisation and the intricacy of her overarching plot.

However, the love story internal progression was a bit too cliché for me this time. I could see that a natural conflict between a manipulating mastermind control freak and a take-it-as-it-comes-and-then-deal-with-it guy would be lack of knowledge, but the
a) he starts to trust her because he's so attracted to her body and hitting-five-birds-with-one-stone skill
b) he finds out he's also a bird she has hit before so
c) he closes her down and belittles her to get her to back off which
d) works because she has very low self-esteem in her history and he knows that, because he can feel exactly what she needs
e) and then he can't help himself but be impressed again by something she has set up and come closer/ thinks he better make hay while the sun shines anyway once he's licked his wounds
[f) then finds out she has even deeper strings on his past history
(g) uses his knowledge of her to freeze her out and hurt her again, all because of his own manpain and guilt ... well it reminded me of an 80s romance novel.

I could quite see how she could enjoy being a submissive though and him a bit of a dominant (although they never went into heavier bondage), because it absolved her of being in control for once.

I also don't think I could have set up a better development, but I thought that if he had at least once simply accepted one of the revelations to him with something else than freezing her out/hurting her feelings, I'd have dealt with it better.

For the huge amount of dealing with problems on the way to the climax the book was a bit too rushed in the action, but just right in the character development bit.

I also didn't see why some of the later sex scenes had to be so elaborated only to be rushed over later on. At least they were hot and the early ones definitely were needed for the character development.

[Jill Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I really really really loved this book. I've always been a big fan of Meljean's stuff, and this one hits all my favorite tropes - big wounded alpha male vampire, soft and feminine (but still strong!) Guardian woman. Quite possibly the sexiest Meljean Brook book in the series to date.

I wasn't too on-board with Deacon as a hero by the end of DEMON FORGED but this totally, totally worked for me. I'm a sucker for the 'broken heroine' storyline, and this book has it in spades. Rosalia is strong, but so incredibly vulnerable and it just works like magic.

I...need to go read this again. :)

[Renegade ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

[Tuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 out of 5, because all 3 protagonists are great characters and the storyline actually goes somewhere. There is a bit slowness in the story and the ending of the love story is a bit abrupt.

Rosalia continued to pursue demons, not knowing that Michael has died. She meets with Deacon again, whom she persuades to join her efforts.

Unlike the previous book, this book barely features any of the previous protagonists. It's mainly about Rosalia, Deacon, and Michael-possessed Taylor. This is also where Nicholas St. Croix first appears.

Rosalia is an excellent planner and manipulator. She plans and manages the efforts to kill the demons almost flawlessly. The author never wavered in her writing of this part of her character. Rosalia does not suddenly do something stupid for no reason. She is also very beautiful and a very, very good person. You'd say Mary Sue, right? In her case, you can't hate her character. Her "goodness" is her downfall. She couldn't kill her brother, because he was her brother and this caused all the issues that followed her later. She takes care of others and neglects her own needs. She suffers quietly and alone.

Deacon is damaged after his failed attempts to save his partners and his community by betraying the Guardians. Even though he gets stronger and stronger physically, he does not think he is a good person and certainly does not deserve someone like Rosalia. He becomes more and more protective of her, but he cannot believe that Rosalia would love him back and assumes that her "attractions" to him are part of her efforts to manipulate him to do what she wants.

Taylor is struggling against Michael's attempts to control her. Somehow she has also been meeting with Anaria. Rosalia needs her help, but she fears that Michael-possessed Taylor will kill Deacon.

The book in general is nice read, except somewhere at the beginning where it kind of stalls, around the part where Rosalia is still not able to convince Deacon to help her. The ending where they finally understand each other just seems rushed. She does not believe him and then she suddenly believes him.

[Jessica S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up this book at random in a used book store with no idea it was so far into a series, however, I never once felt lost in the telling. There were some obvious things that I missed in previous novels but "Demon Blood" was written in such a way that I still received all the necessary information I needed as the plot moved forward. And while I can and have enjoyed this book on its own I still would like to pick up the others in this series to explore more of this world and the characters it has to offer - people and beings who are just as flawed as any human could be but with significantly more power & knowledge and thus more to lose.

Rosalia is a Guardian and as sweet as they can be - her defining characteristics would have to be her compassion and optimism. They are tempered by her logic, reasoning, patience, and understanding. Rosalia is exquisitely patient and meticulous, making her an invaluable resource and guide in the Guardian world. More than one character comments how lucky they are that Rosalia is on the side of "good" - how finely she holds the balance of delicate things lest so much chaos reign. And from the sound of it, they're going to need her even more in following books (I really, really hope she makes appearances in the latter half of the series).

Deacon is an interesting character. I can't imagine entirely how he came off in previous volumes as I've only read him in here once everything he'd ever known and loved had been shredded to pieces in the most viciously cruel way imaginable, leaving behind a grieving, shattered man. So that when you encounter him at the beginning of this book he is a whirlpool of grief, anger, and revenge. He trusts nothing and nobody because he so thoroughly broke all of their trust in him - and feels that he deserves everything thrown at him. This is who Rosalia comes across after he disappeared from her abbey. Tempered with this, though, is all the memories Rosalia has of him from their very first encounter (not that he knew at the time), and through her you understand Deacon is ways no other character has or will. She sees the truth of him, and together they can do the seemingly impossible. If he gives her the chance.

[K.A. Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expertly written. Steamy in all the right places. The perfect blend of romance, mystery and romance. Rosalia and Deacon have an obvious connection; seeing them to learn to trust themselves, and each other, was delicious. I want more!

[Emily S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalia is everything that is bright and beautiful and brilliant 😭😭😭 her love for everyone I can't 💔💔💔 and the friendships 😭❤️ also the steamy scenes make kresley cole books seem like nothing 🔥🔥🔥 I want to read taylor and michaels story so bad now

[Omaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Deacon did not enjoy Rosalia. Wasn’t sure about their chemistry either.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Rosalia but I missed the Guardian cast.

[Krysta Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Action, romance, mystery. It has it all. And an even bigger series arc that will leave you demanding more. Expertly written, steamy in all the right places. Perfect read!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the thrilling plot of Demon Forged, this book left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Probably because I read them so close together. One hallmark of a good PNR series, to me, is the balance between the inevitable two plot lines: 1) the plot of the immediate novel, and 2) the plot of the overall series. The author has to find the balance between the two and keep the reader engaged in both. Anything less, to me, is just not satisfying! I have a relentlessly big picture brain. :)

That being said, let me rush to assure you: Meljean Brook is one of the best at this! Although in the first 3 books of the Guardians series I sometimes didn't feel the movement along an overarching plot arc, by the fourth book it started to come together and move towards a larger conclusion. (I have a theory that somewhere in there Ms. Brook signed a contract for the rest of the series) This book did continue to build on events in the larger plotline, although the characters, Rosalia and Deacon, don't interact all that often with the other Guardians and vampires we know from past books. So maybe the reason I loved this book a little less than Demon Forged was the individual novel's plot.

In this book, Rosalia the Guardian has a plan which might help the Guardians in the fight against Anaria and the nephilim. It's a risky plan and she's conflicted about it, but she thinks with Deacon's help she can do it. The only problem is, Deacon is hellbent on revenge against demons because of the events in Demon Forged, and he wants nothing to do with Rosalia or her plan. We were introduced to these characters in the last book but here we get much more of their backstory. Rosalia has an interesting story for a Guardian, because she really isolates herself from other Guardians and lives instead with vampires on Earth in an abbey in Rome. She was a nun in life and her "family" now call her "Mother". Both of these characters have a lot of baggage from their lives and afterlives that they are bringing into this partnership. And so we spend a lot of time watching them work through their issues so they can 1) kill the nephilim, and 2) be together.

I mentioned in my review of Demon Forged that the book had a scorching love story but we really didn't spend much actual page time on it. It underscored the action and there were some intense, hot, achingly sweet scenes, but they felt well-earned amidst the direct conflicts in the novel, both between and around the two protagonists. I think that is what was lacking in this book for me. The love story and partnership between Rosalia and Deacon is the main plot of the book, and by far we spend the most time reading about it, listening into their heads as they agonize over it, fight against it, and bemoan whatever state it's in at that moment. It just got a little tiresome for me.

I will say that even though I personally prefer more direct characters, like Irena, over characters like Rosalia who have a hard time knowing what they even want, Ms. Brook always delivers realistic characters who grow and change over the course of the novel. In this case, Rosalia definitely evolves and comes into her own, in large part because of Deacon. It is a sweet love story, it just wasn't my personal favorite.

I did enjoy reading about Detective Taylor now the Doyen of the Guardians, though not their leader, who spends most of her time fighting with Michael inside her own head!, as she is as close as this book came to Michael, who remains my absolute favorite. The main character of book 7, Nicholas St. Croix, was introduced in this book and we learned a little of his backstory. I think I will wait a while to read that book since it's another six months until the final book - Michael's book!!! - is due out.

[Jen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, this a is great series! Not only did I enjoy the romance, but the story was fantastic too. I loved the characters. I loved the world-building. The pacing. The dialogue. The sex. The climax. In a word… it ROCKED.

This is Deacon and Rosalie’s book, and it was set up beautifully in Demon Forged. Rosalie was the Guardian who was tortured by the nephalim. Deacon was the vampire forced to betray Irena in order to save his partners. Only, they were already dead. Now he is a pariah among his people. The only thing that keeps him putting one foot in front of the other is his mission to kill demons. They are to blame for the destruction of his community and for killing his loved ones. Now, he will take down as many as can… even if he ends up going down with them.

Rosalie has bigger plans for him. She has always held a soft spot for Deacon, ever since he saved her from a pair of rapists years ago. She even paved the way for him becoming a vampire. Of course, he doesn’t remember what he did for her. And he could never see himself the way she sees him. So he is skeptical of offer to help him slay the enemy. He turns down her overtures, repeatedly. But she makes it so easy to take down the demon targets. Her beauty and her sad eyes don’t help him resist either. Before you know it, he is a key part in her demon takedown operation.

I don’t know who I loved more: Deacon or Rosalie. There is so much depth to both characters. Rosalie is so amazingly brilliant! She is a master strategist who moves the players in the supernatural factions around like pieces on a chess board. But just as impressive are her selflessness, her loyalty, and her basic goodness. She wants the world to be a better place and is willing to fight the good fight to make a change. She puts her whole heart into those she loves, from her son to Deacon… even her despicable brother. She is vulnerable without being weak; strong without losing her softness. I not only liked her, but I respected her.

Then there is poor Deacon. He basically hates himself to the point where he can’t imagine anyone finding good in him. The loss of his partners and his people broke something in him; and that injury was made exponentially worse by the choices he had to make in his deal with the demon while trying to save them. He compromised his principles, only to lose anyway. It is completely inconceivable to him that Rosalie could find him a good man, a worthy man. At times, this made him treat her in ways she didn’t deserve. But I had to forgive him, since he was so incapable of forgiving himself. It made for some painful starts and stops. I just wanted so much for them to find their way to one another! And when they do, it’s so damn satisfying.

Aside from the romance, I loved watching Rosalie’s big plan come together. It’s so bold and brilliant! And it has major implications for the series arc. I am also fascinated by what is happening with Parker and Michael. There is so much action and angst. I absolutely can’t wait to see where it all goes next.

Rating: A-

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Taylor and Micheal. It's so hard to focus on the real story when the bigger picture keeps lulling me in. "Patricia," it says, "Look. Some Michael-scenes." And, needy dumbhead (<- um..) that I am, I bookmark every scene. Talk about pathetic.

I don't know how I'd rate the book if I hadn't read the others. Probably not as good as I do now, but everything the characters say and do has much more meaning to it when you know their history, right? (So, I guess.. 3-3.5 for the main part and 4.5 for some others.. which leaves me with a 3.5 star rating..)

Although the h/h certainly outshine many other pnr couples, imho they don't really compare to Savi, Colin, Charlie or Hugh, who are my favorite characters in the series and in Savi and Colin's case probably also my favorite couple. :)

Rosalie and Deacon were introduced in the fifth novel. Rosalie as the Guardian who'd been captured years ago and then found by Alejandro and Irena, because Deacon, a vampire, pointed them to her. He lost all that ever mattered to him, his two best friends and lovers, his community and his pride to a demon who forced him to betray the Guardians and one of his close friends, to save his community, thereby setting things into motion that eventually killed Dru, a Guardian, and two or more vampires. In the end the demon lied and all that Deacon had left was the need to take revenge.. and of course the annoying charactertrait to blame everything that goes wrong on himself. Of course, Rosalie doesn't only blame anything that goes wrong in her life and the lives of her friends on her, but also everything that goes wrong in the life of ducks. Or ants. Or .. idk.

You can see the characterdevelopment and I have to admit that both of them and their tortured-heroIne-thing didn't really bother me that much. And the ending, oh my. I liiiked it. It was my type of melodrama and as long as I don't reread it I'll keep my enthusiasm and won't let my cynic nature (read: bitternes) rip it apart. ;>

As the book before, Demon Blood was a little slower in the beginning than I expected. But the last third definitely makes up for it and was a. action-packed and b. very satisfying to read.

-- I'm now trying to convince myself that I shouldn't read the seventh novel right away, because there are some months between now and the last novel's date of publication.. So.. Um. Awesome series, I'm in love with Meljean Brook and might start to call her Meljean, because in my head we're very close friends and .. um.. what do close friends do? oô Bake. We bake. (Oy..) --

Full review to come.


Won't read it until I bought the 5 prequels. Got the book as a gift. :)

[Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

More hinty than spoilery review (Best not to read if you haven't read Demon Forged! And why haven't you?! Hop to it)

"So I just want to say, Thank you for watching my back and saving my ass. Multiple times. And as soon as I figure out how, I promise I'll save yours."

This book is about Rosalia and Deacon, except that after the end of Demon Forged the parts I really concentrated on were about Taylor. Its a credit to Brook that I am still close to sobbing every time Taylor appears and her last scene here was the most incredibly moving thing. She comes a long way in this book and every scene she was in was heartbreaking from her bare feet to her fighting for control.
I understand the reason for his anger, losing his mind below but trying to keep the world above together and protect everyone even though he's not there. And finally relinquishing control to her but being there when she needs to use his strength. I cannot wait for the next book!

I think Brook's problem is that she's made us care so much about her old characters that I'm more interested in what's happening to them that new ones.

Not to say that Rosa and Deacon's story wasn't all kinds of awesome by itself. The nephalim are still a danger to vampire communities and with Rael dead a new lieutenant to Belial needs to be found making the demons even more dangerous.

Met in Demon Blood Deacon is still the wreck he was, completely broken, his only thoughts to take out as many demons as he can before he's killed. He's got to find self-worth and find a way to live through the guilt of what he's done.
Rosalia was raised by a demon and so knows how to think like one: how to use people for her purposes and she formulates a plan to end Belial's demons by going against the roots of Guardian philosophy. Manipulative but sweet and caring, she may make the choices of a demon but for the right reasons.

"A single moment that had been worth ten thousand times the pain."

(+Sparklepire bashing!)

[Jill Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demon Blood is the 6th book in Meljean Brook's Guardian Series. Deacon is a vampire out for revenge after having lost his people and was cruelly tortured by Demons. Rosalia sees an opportunity to help Deacon with his revenge that will also benefit the guardians as well. Laying out a complicated plan, with Deacon the key player, Rosalia hopes to tip the tables between the battle of good and evil.

I am probably simplifying the plot with the above summary. If any readers have read Meljean Brooks before they are aware of the complexity of her plots and Demon Blood is no exception. Rosalia concocts a crazy hare-brained scheme to wipe out most of the Demons in existence. To make the plan work she must convince Deacon to help her. She has long loved Deacon from afar for many centuries and has been afraid to reveal her feelings for him. Deacon is a shell of who he once was and feels unworthy of life let alone someone's love and devotion. The fact that in Deacon's eyes Rosalia is beautiful inside and out he can't possibly fathom why she would want to be with him.

For the most part I really liked Deacon and Rosalia. Rosalia comes across as very motherly. It was interesting to see her show a fierce protector side and yet a vulnerable and caring side too. It did bother me that she held back so much of feelings from Deacon for such a long time. It felt cowardly at times and her character seemed much braver than that. Deacon was very broken at the beginning of the story and he needed to forgive himself and allow him to heal. Much of the book is about him doing just that. Although, I did feel that the ending which resolved the issue between him and Rosalia was too abrupt for my taste. It felt a little rushed. All in all, this was a fine addition to this wonderful series.

[katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review. 7th Book in the ongoing series.


Being a fan of Meljeans previous Guardian series this Book I found to be my most favourite of the series. I really enjoyed the introduction it gave me an insite to the begining of all. I have read all to date in the series and I personally wouldnt recomended anyone that has not at least read a few to read this one. I find that there are characters you will not relate to. Decon is not as easily liked as the former guardians eg Michael and Jake or Drifter he has lots of issues. Rosalee not as tough and kick arse as Lilth but Meljean has created a great fit for Decon and Rosalee and Rosalee has plans for broken Decon. The book is filled with kick arse Demons, Guardians,and not every character you will love but the were all created to give it the even balance of this book. Decon at first not the most likeable sort but as the story line goes on so does the building of the characters.
Filled with romance, thrills and fantasy, this book kept me interersted throughout. Rosalees quest to kill all demons and prove her love for someone he thinks he not worthy of. I really loved the characters, as always hot and enticing and full of surprises. Im intersted to know which way meljean will go with Michael and Taylor next, this is definetly one of the things I look forward to in the next two books. I cant wait for the next two books in the series and once again Meljean has created great characters and Im sure we will see more of Michael in the series to come..

** thanks Meljean **

(( I am not a writer I am a reader and I enjoy many differnt styles of writing I dont like to include huge book reviews as I dont like to contain to many spoilers.))

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Favorite Quote:
"I've forced a good man onto a path with me. I cannot win without his help. But he has not offered it. I am using him."
"So you are no better then the demons."
"I'd like to think I have better intentions..."
"I imagine you do like to think that. But if the suffering of even one good man is needed to gain victory, it is not a true victory."

Once upon time there was a beautiful princess who greatly loved her family. Her mother, father, and brother all lived in peace and harmony. But one day her father came home and he had changed. Now someone else looked out of his eyes. Someone evil and without conscience. Her father tortured the family until the mother died and the brother and princess lived in constant pain and fear.

The princess ran away and found sanctuary in a church. The father came to the church one day and offered her a choice. She could die by her brother's hand or all her sisters would die. She choose her own death and on that day the princess passed from this world.But like all fairy tales, that was not the end but merely the beginning.

Rosalia, a manipulative but caring guardian, has suffered the loss of most of her family during the never ending battle against Lucifer and his demons. Now she thinks she has found the answer to kill many demons in one shot. But the solution lies with a vampire who once betrayed her and left her to die.

Read more of my review at Smexybooks

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalia, a Guardian, was raised by a demon and has known great heartache and great evil, but she continues to fight the good fight. Rosalia has a plan, which if successful, will result in the demise of many demons and all of the nephilim, who are responsible for the deaths of many vampires. However, the main person in Rosalia's plan is Deacon, a vampire, who betrayed the Guardians, in an attempt to save his people. Convincing Deacon to go along with her plans and keeping her heart safe seem like impossible tasks for Rosalia.


DEMON BLOOD is a wonderful addition to Ms. Brook's Guardian series. Ms. Brook's has magnificent world-building skills and her characters are multi-faceted. Rosalia, who is a marvelous tactician, has great responsibilities, yet feels alone. She has great faith and continues to fight, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Deacon is basically a good man, who was faced with a horrible choice, and, now, lives only for revenge. Rosalia sees through Deacon's uncaring facade, but he thinks himself unlovable, since his betrayal of the Guardians and his inability to save his people. These two tortured characters struggle to overcome the evil demons and nephilim, but must, also, overcome their own emotional barriers to love.


Filled with action, adventure, and many familiar faces from previous books in the series, DEMON BLOOD is a spectacular read. I highly recommend it.