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Paladins of Darkness #4
Redeemed in Darkness
Alexis Morgan's sizzling paranormal Paladin series continues with a courageous female warrior who can't resist the man of her dreams -- even if he is her sworn enemy....
A fiercely beautiful female leader from the Other world, Lusahn q'Arc can't forget the Paladin warrior she met in battle -- his chiseled body and piercing, thoughtful eyes still haunt her dreams. While investigating the smuggling of the mysterious blue stones used to light her shadowy world, Lusahn receives word that her missing brother, Barak, is alive -- and working with the Paladins. Although angry at his betrayal, she arranges to meet him. But at the appointed time it is not Barak who arrives, but Cullen Finley -- the enemy warrior who torments her memory.
Intense attraction immediately burns between Lusahn and Cullen despite their rival loyalties, and they can't help surrendering to passion. Their time together is limited, though, for soon Cullen must return to his own world -- with or without Lusahn. But when carefully laid plans go awry, together they must fight to keep their forbidden romance a secret -- and keep each other alive.
A fiercely beautiful female leader from the Other world, Lusahn q'Arc can't forget the Paladin warrior she met in battle -- his chiseled body and piercing, thoughtful eyes still haunt her dreams. While investigating the smuggling of the mysterious blue stones used to light her shadowy world, Lusahn receives word that her missing brother, Barak, is alive -- and working with the Paladins. Although angry at his betrayal, she arranges to meet him. But at the appointed time it is not Barak who arrives, but Cullen Finley -- the enemy warrior who torments her memory.
Intense attraction immediately burns between Lusahn and Cullen despite their rival loyalties, and they can't help surrendering to passion. Their time together is limited, though, for soon Cullen must return to his own world -- with or without Lusahn. But when carefully laid plans go awry, together they must fight to keep their forbidden romance a secret -- and keep each other alive.
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 27, 2007
18 people are currently reading
1029 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Morgan
97 books999 followersAlexis 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 27, 2015
Redeemed in Darkness
2 Stars
Expected more from this installment as it takes place in the world of the Others. Unfortunately, there is virtually no character development and no progress in the overall story arc concerning the search for a cure to the Paladin’s descent into madness or the conspiracy of the blue stones.
The romance is as bland as the Kalithia landscape. Cullen and Lusahn fall in love almost immediately and all obstacles to their romance, such as the conflict between their races and the decision of which world to live in, are resolved far too easily.
In terms of the specific plot. there is no real mystery to solve and the villains are quickly revealed and just as quickly dispatched.
In one word: Boring!
2 Stars
Expected more from this installment as it takes place in the world of the Others. Unfortunately, there is virtually no character development and no progress in the overall story arc concerning the search for a cure to the Paladin’s descent into madness or the conspiracy of the blue stones.
The romance is as bland as the Kalithia landscape. Cullen and Lusahn fall in love almost immediately and all obstacles to their romance, such as the conflict between their races and the decision of which world to live in, are resolved far too easily.
In terms of the specific plot. there is no real mystery to solve and the villains are quickly revealed and just as quickly dispatched.
In one word: Boring!
March 30, 2013
THE BEST !
I LOVE THE SERIES !
I LOVE THE SERIES !
March 12, 2011
Colin Finley, also known as The Professor amongst his Paladin brethren, is doing Barak q'Arc a favor. During the events of In Darkness Reborn, Barak was compelled to rush to the rescue of his beloved, leaving Colin with a letter for his sister Lusahn who he was trying to contact to ask for help with the issue of smuggled blue stones that have been pouring out of her world and into our own at the expense of many Other lives. Colin was happy to help Barak out, and not only because he's come to realize that the displaced Other is a male of honor, but because Lusahn has been on Colin's mind since their small battle not too long ago and he was willing to risk crossing the barrier to find out if he was just as prevalent in her thoughts, as well. When the barrier falls and he steps into the cold, gray world so many Others have tried to escape, Lusahn is there, preparing to end the life of her brother the traitor. Colin manages to talk her into allowing him to live, and can probably get her help to investigate, then finally stop the smuggling, but how can he ever convince the prickly Other that she needs Colin, not just as a warrior, but as a man?
Picking up right where the previous novel left off, this is probably the least likely of the first four books in this series to read well as a stand-alone novel. For the first time, we get a look into the realm or dimension that the murderous Others have been fleeing from, and thankfully, we finally get an answer to a lot of questions about them as a species. These questions have been plaguing me from the first book, so I was particularly glad to get some answers. Unfortunately, there are still too many questions left unanswered (how does Lusahn know how to translate the passage of time by her world's increments into our own? How do Others learn our language?), and a few significant contradictions to previous mythos pop up in this book as the worlds that Morgan has created start to grow beyond their former definitions. There wasn't a particularly deep plot in this book, as the focus was more on Lusahn and Colin at first learning to trust each other, then quickly turned to the obvious feelings they have for each other, but there were a few pleasant surprises - most notably the introduction of the children Bavi and Shiri.
Still, this book at least started to scratch the surface of a few very important issues that are going to need to be addressed if this series is going to continue with any potential for a final triumph in the overall arc. That overall series arc has taken a bit of a crooked path so far, and more and more complications have been thrown into the mix. So many that I worry that the arc will start to become overwhelmed by them...though perhaps it already has. Enemies have become allies, ravening monsters have become beloved mates, and problems like the Paladins turning rabid after one death too many have gotten lost in the shuffle. For all of this muddled confusion, I can't say the series is a favorite of mine, but I do find the books entertaining and I did enjoy Colin and Lusahn's story.
We're finally shown a glimpse of the Others' world, and while it seems dreary and colorless...as do the people of it...we're not given more than surface appearances, and that keeps this novel at a more superficial level than I would've liked. There also was very little offered to clearly differentiate Others from humans - beyond, of course, the different worlds. I would've liked to have seen some cultural or creative differences. There was some progress made and things I did like, however.
Finally we find out that Others call themselves the Kalith. It's a pretty name with a pretty meaning. For the first time, the moral ramifications of the genocidal slaughter - justified or not - of the maddened Kalith has finally been brought into question when Colin started to question the fate of those left orphaned and alone. So too, Paladins are finally starting to wonder how the blue stones even came to humans' attention and the idea of humans sneaking into the Others' world has finally been broached. These are all things that needed to be given attention and I was glad to see it.
I can't say that there weren't problems - there were several big ones I could mention - and I'm still not convinced that Alexis Morgan has a very clearly defined path in mind for this series. If she does, it's not coming across to me as a reader. Still, I've enjoyed Barak's and Lusahn's stories more than the first two of the series and while I have no idea at this point where the series is going, I'm still enjoying the ride on the way.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Picking up right where the previous novel left off, this is probably the least likely of the first four books in this series to read well as a stand-alone novel. For the first time, we get a look into the realm or dimension that the murderous Others have been fleeing from, and thankfully, we finally get an answer to a lot of questions about them as a species. These questions have been plaguing me from the first book, so I was particularly glad to get some answers. Unfortunately, there are still too many questions left unanswered (how does Lusahn know how to translate the passage of time by her world's increments into our own? How do Others learn our language?), and a few significant contradictions to previous mythos pop up in this book as the worlds that Morgan has created start to grow beyond their former definitions. There wasn't a particularly deep plot in this book, as the focus was more on Lusahn and Colin at first learning to trust each other, then quickly turned to the obvious feelings they have for each other, but there were a few pleasant surprises - most notably the introduction of the children Bavi and Shiri.
Still, this book at least started to scratch the surface of a few very important issues that are going to need to be addressed if this series is going to continue with any potential for a final triumph in the overall arc. That overall series arc has taken a bit of a crooked path so far, and more and more complications have been thrown into the mix. So many that I worry that the arc will start to become overwhelmed by them...though perhaps it already has. Enemies have become allies, ravening monsters have become beloved mates, and problems like the Paladins turning rabid after one death too many have gotten lost in the shuffle. For all of this muddled confusion, I can't say the series is a favorite of mine, but I do find the books entertaining and I did enjoy Colin and Lusahn's story.
We're finally shown a glimpse of the Others' world, and while it seems dreary and colorless...as do the people of it...we're not given more than surface appearances, and that keeps this novel at a more superficial level than I would've liked. There also was very little offered to clearly differentiate Others from humans - beyond, of course, the different worlds. I would've liked to have seen some cultural or creative differences. There was some progress made and things I did like, however.
Finally we find out that Others call themselves the Kalith. It's a pretty name with a pretty meaning. For the first time, the moral ramifications of the genocidal slaughter - justified or not - of the maddened Kalith has finally been brought into question when Colin started to question the fate of those left orphaned and alone. So too, Paladins are finally starting to wonder how the blue stones even came to humans' attention and the idea of humans sneaking into the Others' world has finally been broached. These are all things that needed to be given attention and I was glad to see it.
I can't say that there weren't problems - there were several big ones I could mention - and I'm still not convinced that Alexis Morgan has a very clearly defined path in mind for this series. If she does, it's not coming across to me as a reader. Still, I've enjoyed Barak's and Lusahn's stories more than the first two of the series and while I have no idea at this point where the series is going, I'm still enjoying the ride on the way.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
July 9, 2013
This is the first book that I've read in this series and it happens to be the fourth book in the series. Although I was a bit confused at first with the premise of the story, it became clear as the story progressed.
Lusahn and Cullen are soldiers and protectors from rival worlds, but after Cullen came head to head with Lusahn in a battle a few books back, he is unable to get her out of his mind. So when an opportunity arises where he must deliver a message to Lusahn, he jumps at the chance, risking his life for a moment with the beautiful warrior.
Because Cullen is human, Lusahn is duty bound to kill him on sight, but his message stays her sword and she ushers him to her home in an attempt to uncover the secret behind who has been stealing the blue stones.
I enjoyed the paranormal factor of the story with the premise being that there are two parallel worlds with one side being what our world is and the other world having a dying star, leaving that world ensconced in darkness for a large portion of the time. The barrier between the two worlds are highly guarded by warriors on both sides, slaughtering anyone passing through from either end.
I also enjoyed the characters and their stories in this novel. Both Cullen and Lusahn are strong warriors who value loyalty and honor in their duties, but their passion for each other causes them to shift the focus of their loyalty from their respective race to each other without devaluing their morals. The story is textured even further with adopted children who have a strong presence in the story along with friends and foes that are hard to define as one or the other.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, loving every minute of it and being unable to put it down once I got started. I look forward to reading the previous and subsequent books in this series.
Lusahn and Cullen are soldiers and protectors from rival worlds, but after Cullen came head to head with Lusahn in a battle a few books back, he is unable to get her out of his mind. So when an opportunity arises where he must deliver a message to Lusahn, he jumps at the chance, risking his life for a moment with the beautiful warrior.
Because Cullen is human, Lusahn is duty bound to kill him on sight, but his message stays her sword and she ushers him to her home in an attempt to uncover the secret behind who has been stealing the blue stones.
I enjoyed the paranormal factor of the story with the premise being that there are two parallel worlds with one side being what our world is and the other world having a dying star, leaving that world ensconced in darkness for a large portion of the time. The barrier between the two worlds are highly guarded by warriors on both sides, slaughtering anyone passing through from either end.
I also enjoyed the characters and their stories in this novel. Both Cullen and Lusahn are strong warriors who value loyalty and honor in their duties, but their passion for each other causes them to shift the focus of their loyalty from their respective race to each other without devaluing their morals. The story is textured even further with adopted children who have a strong presence in the story along with friends and foes that are hard to define as one or the other.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, loving every minute of it and being unable to put it down once I got started. I look forward to reading the previous and subsequent books in this series.
August 9, 2021
Readers have spent the last three books getting brief looks into the mysterious Others but now we actually get to see their world and better understand the reasons they're trying to cross into the human world. I really enjoyed REDEEMED IN DARKNESS for the complexity it adds to the series as well as for the characters. Cullen is known as The Professor to the other Paladins but he isn't being logical when he steps over the downed barrier. Instead he's taken over by his attraction to Lusahn but he quickly proves that his reckless actions might be the only way to get answers. I loved Cullen's steady nature, his deeply held honor, and his surprising compassion for the enemy. He might have seen the Others as monsters before but the more he learns about them the more he sees the people they really are -- a proud race called Kaliths who are struggling to survive while their sun dies out. Of course, it helps that he has the hots for Lusahn because he's not always so accommodating of the male Kaliths he comes across.
For Lusahn's part she's baffled by Cullen and doesn't quite know what to do with him. She remembers him from the fight months before but they're sworn enemies and Lusahn, always a rule follower, knows her duty dictates she turn him over to the Guild Master. I was beyond excited to see a female warrior since Paladins are only men. Lusahn is a deadly beauty who can take care of herself and the two orphaned children she's taken in. She's very conflicted over hiding Cullen but she's also desperate to stop the theft of light from her world. The chemistry between Cullen and Lusahn is on fire but I do feel like they accepted each other and moved past prejudices really fast. I do have to say I would have liked a bit more tension over falling in love with the enemy.
For Lusahn's part she's baffled by Cullen and doesn't quite know what to do with him. She remembers him from the fight months before but they're sworn enemies and Lusahn, always a rule follower, knows her duty dictates she turn him over to the Guild Master. I was beyond excited to see a female warrior since Paladins are only men. Lusahn is a deadly beauty who can take care of herself and the two orphaned children she's taken in. She's very conflicted over hiding Cullen but she's also desperate to stop the theft of light from her world. The chemistry between Cullen and Lusahn is on fire but I do feel like they accepted each other and moved past prejudices really fast. I do have to say I would have liked a bit more tension over falling in love with the enemy.
July 13, 2017
De verdad me gusto, muchisimo mejor que los anteriores.
Sin embargo aun siento que la idea no esta bien explotada y eso que el argumento es muy original, las escenas eróticas de nuevo decaen y no entiendo la razón
Me gusto Lushan es una mujer fuerte, una guerrera valiente que quiere lo mejor para su pueblo y que obvio necesita la ayuda de los humanos, Cullen se la gana y ella decide abrir su corazón, los dos niños también me gustaron fueron algo nuevo, ya que ningún paladin tiene hijos, y ahora Cullen tiene dos que son Kalith.
Cullen siempre me atrajo desde el principio, es el profesor el calmado, pero muy letal. Y tiene un buen corazón, e incluso el se da cuenta de su capacidad de amar al aceptar que los otros no son tan malos como el creía.
Me agrado saber mas de los otros, de su mundo, la razón por la que escapan, la estructura de su sociedad, sus reglas y leyes, siento que falto más pero al menos se tiene una mayor idea, de momento no se de quien sospechar acerca del robo de las gemas, a veces creo que es el coronel Kincaid, pero luego no se que pensar.
A pesar de todo fue un buen libro.
Sin embargo aun siento que la idea no esta bien explotada y eso que el argumento es muy original, las escenas eróticas de nuevo decaen y no entiendo la razón
Me gusto Lushan es una mujer fuerte, una guerrera valiente que quiere lo mejor para su pueblo y que obvio necesita la ayuda de los humanos, Cullen se la gana y ella decide abrir su corazón, los dos niños también me gustaron fueron algo nuevo, ya que ningún paladin tiene hijos, y ahora Cullen tiene dos que son Kalith.
Cullen siempre me atrajo desde el principio, es el profesor el calmado, pero muy letal. Y tiene un buen corazón, e incluso el se da cuenta de su capacidad de amar al aceptar que los otros no son tan malos como el creía.
Me agrado saber mas de los otros, de su mundo, la razón por la que escapan, la estructura de su sociedad, sus reglas y leyes, siento que falto más pero al menos se tiene una mayor idea, de momento no se de quien sospechar acerca del robo de las gemas, a veces creo que es el coronel Kincaid, pero luego no se que pensar.
A pesar de todo fue un buen libro.
January 17, 2011
This book was definitely the best so far, I couldn't put it down. From now on I am definitely a fan of this series.I still don't think it's as good as series like BDB, Psy-changelling, IAD, Dark Hunter, Demonica or midnight breed, which are some of my fav paranormal romance; but it's pretty close. I may say I'm enjoying it as I did the Warriors of Poseidon series.
In this installment everything changes because we get to read a book with a hero who actually gets to cross to the other side, the world of the Others! And it was so cool to get to do so because their world is really interesting and I have been dying to read more about them since the beginning of the series. In this book we finally get to understand them and comprehend why so many things happened the way they do.
This series only keeps getting better and better and I can't wait to read next book!
In this installment everything changes because we get to read a book with a hero who actually gets to cross to the other side, the world of the Others! And it was so cool to get to do so because their world is really interesting and I have been dying to read more about them since the beginning of the series. In this book we finally get to understand them and comprehend why so many things happened the way they do.
This series only keeps getting better and better and I can't wait to read next book!
March 25, 2009
Redeemed in Darkness is the fourth book in the Paladins of Darkness series. This is the story Cullen Finley, a Seattle Paladin, and Lusahn q’Arc, an Other. Lusahn is the sister of Barak, an Other, who now lives among the Seattle Paladins...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books, for the review of Redeemed in Darkness in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books, for the review of Redeemed in Darkness in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
January 6, 2010
4 1/2 stars! I really liked how it took place in the Others' homeworld, and I liked seeing Larem brought across at the end with Lusahn and the kids. Maybe he'll get his own story later on? So far I've really enjoyed this series and I can't wait to continue on.
December 2, 2014
I read this book a while back and today I saw it on my bookshelf and got excited to read it again. So I did! I now remember why I also enjoy reading paranormal romances which are written wonderfully like Alexis Morgan does.
April 23, 2012
Another great book in the Paladin series! Urban Fantasy + Paranormal Romance + good writing = a book I really liked. Just the right amount of hot sex scenes, adventure, intrigue, and paranormalcy.
March 3, 2014
each book is going faster than the previous. LOVE this series. Can't wait to see what's next
July 11, 2020
(Explícito). 4.5. Me encantó. Lusahn estaba tan sola en su mundo de oscuridad, hasta que tuvo a los niños, y poco a poco pensó que su vida mejoraría (después de perder a su hermano y a sus padres), solo que Cullen llegó y ella tuvo luz, calor y colores en su vida como nunca antes. Cullen también luchó en su camino para llegar hasta Lusahn. Me gustó mucho esto de que directamente nos encontráramos en el mundo de los otros, que no se le dio muchas vueltas, y que Lusahn haya aceptado y tomado una decisión sobre qué hacer con Cullen en su mundo. Los dos aceptaron en la situación en la que estaban y trataron de hacer lo mejor con lo que tenían. Con este libro logramos conocer más a los otros y a su mundo, también un poco más de información acerca del porqué los otros otros cruzan la barrera como desquiciados matando todo a su paso: tienen un poco más en común con los paladines de lo que ellos pensaban. Todavía quedaron muchas preguntas sin resolver acerca de los otros, de los traidores que comercian con las piedras azules (no se aclaró mucho, solo sabemos que algunos de los otros que son guardianes jurados y puede que algún escuadrón, sepa sobre esa traición y lo estén investigando. Puedo decir que en los próximos libros puede que sepamos más sobre Berk) de ambos mundos, todavía queda por saber quiénes son los humanos que atraviesan la barrera por esa pequeña cueva. Desde el libro anterior, todo aquel traidor que encuentran inevitablemente termina muerte, por lo que no hay ningún avance, siempre terminan en un callejón sin salida. Se me hizo precipitado ese último capítulo. También siento que sabremos más de Larem en algún próximo libro. Cullen, como dice, es todo un caballero. ... Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas y de otros personajes...
July 5, 2024
A bit of a slow start for me, but that might be my bad for jumping into the middle of the series - there's a whole bunch of built world that maybe would've been easier if I'd started at the beginning. I'll never know. Very horny. Plot was a little unclear but again that might be because it's part of a Larger Arc Thing.
March 18, 2017
Love this series.
August 11, 2017
Cullen steps into the world of the Others and more back story comes to light - yay!
January 28, 2020
Another excellent Paladin story. It's always hard to realize the villains aren't as bad as you thought they were. It'll be interesting to see how this development plays out in later books.
May 14, 2020
This starts with insta-love which gets my hackles
up. I do like that we’ve Got a female warrior finally. The ending was abrupt, which seems to be the author’s M.O. The end.
up. I do like that we’ve Got a female warrior finally. The ending was abrupt, which seems to be the author’s M.O. The end.
August 10, 2022
Love the Paladins and the brave women who love them.
December 5, 2023
3.5 - Never would've read this on my own but got this in a book advent calendar bag and was very pleasantly surprised!
January 1, 2017
This is a good book that's well written.
January 9, 2025
When given a letter by his Other friends, the hero knows he has a choice to make. He could throw it into the gateway between worlds or he could hand deliver it to the woman who's haunted his dreams since the day they parted. He only hopes she doesn't kill him before he can get his point across.
The heroine is sickened by betrayal after her brother commits treason and chose to live among the human enemy. To know he left her and their people in their time of need is disgusting. Their world is dying, their sun going out and her people becoming ill. The only solution is the magical stones which create light and strive off the mental breakdown of those longing for the light. When she sees the human warrior step through the gateway instead of her brother, she is furious. But after a few words with the strangely compelling man, she realizes that any hope they have of saving her world lies in their hands.
They must work together to discover who is stealing the stones from her world and transporting them to earth. But they must first find a way to hid the hero else he be killed on the spot by her people.
So she brings him home to her adoptive children. In her heart of hearts she knows she can trust this man. Though he is her enemy, he has honest eyes and she also can't help but admire and desire him. Together they learn to each of them look past prejudices and realize that nothing is so cut and dry or good and bad. His kind does slaughter hers but he only sees the worst of her kind, those who have been driven mad by the darkness. In turn, she realizes that she is responsible for similar judgment. But as they settle into a family, she, him and the 2 children, they know that everything has changed.
When they discover who his behind the stone theft, it's only to then realize that the Other leaders have betrayed their own people by being blinded by greed. The hero and the kids manage to escape through the gateway to earth but the heroine is captured. With the help his friends and the absolute refusal to fail her, the hero travels back to get the woman he loves.
I enjoyed this book but had to tell myself it is what it is. Yes it's a basic and rather predictable romance novel but it did have heart and a message, albeit a popular one about not judging a book by it's cover. There were thinks that didn't make sense like the fact the the boy child started off not understand English but by the time of the finale, he could write a book.
The hero and heroine also fell very quickly and easily into an affair and the heroine's harsh prejudices and hatred for humans didn't last long in the face of all that sexy human man body. Still, the passion between them was lovely and the hero was a kind and admirable man who, though misguiding as the rest of his kind, thought he was doing the right thing. When he realizes the error of his ways in judging a whole group of people, he changed his tune and easily came to terms with the reality of the situation. But he was never a hardened killer, he always regretted having to kill to save people but he did what he had to do. This was as I said, a basic romance but one that I liked all the same.
The heroine is sickened by betrayal after her brother commits treason and chose to live among the human enemy. To know he left her and their people in their time of need is disgusting. Their world is dying, their sun going out and her people becoming ill. The only solution is the magical stones which create light and strive off the mental breakdown of those longing for the light. When she sees the human warrior step through the gateway instead of her brother, she is furious. But after a few words with the strangely compelling man, she realizes that any hope they have of saving her world lies in their hands.
They must work together to discover who is stealing the stones from her world and transporting them to earth. But they must first find a way to hid the hero else he be killed on the spot by her people.
So she brings him home to her adoptive children. In her heart of hearts she knows she can trust this man. Though he is her enemy, he has honest eyes and she also can't help but admire and desire him. Together they learn to each of them look past prejudices and realize that nothing is so cut and dry or good and bad. His kind does slaughter hers but he only sees the worst of her kind, those who have been driven mad by the darkness. In turn, she realizes that she is responsible for similar judgment. But as they settle into a family, she, him and the 2 children, they know that everything has changed.
When they discover who his behind the stone theft, it's only to then realize that the Other leaders have betrayed their own people by being blinded by greed. The hero and the kids manage to escape through the gateway to earth but the heroine is captured. With the help his friends and the absolute refusal to fail her, the hero travels back to get the woman he loves.
I enjoyed this book but had to tell myself it is what it is. Yes it's a basic and rather predictable romance novel but it did have heart and a message, albeit a popular one about not judging a book by it's cover. There were thinks that didn't make sense like the fact the the boy child started off not understand English but by the time of the finale, he could write a book.
The hero and heroine also fell very quickly and easily into an affair and the heroine's harsh prejudices and hatred for humans didn't last long in the face of all that sexy human man body. Still, the passion between them was lovely and the hero was a kind and admirable man who, though misguiding as the rest of his kind, thought he was doing the right thing. When he realizes the error of his ways in judging a whole group of people, he changed his tune and easily came to terms with the reality of the situation. But he was never a hardened killer, he always regretted having to kill to save people but he did what he had to do. This was as I said, a basic romance but one that I liked all the same.
May 20, 2009
This is the 4th book in the Paladins series and a solid B+ read.
Cullen Finley is a Paladin warrior who is friends with Barak q'Arc, an Other from the 3rd book. Continuing the storyline from there, instead of sending the message across the barrier as Barak requested, crosses the barrier in hopes of once again meeting the female warrior he met in battle a few months ago who has stayed in his dreams.
Lusahn (wow I love that name) q'Arc is Barak's sister and the female warrior Cullen met and dreamed of. He too torments her memory of the fateful day when she wounded him and he stole her warrior heart. She is at the barrier with the intent of killing her "traitor" brother but instead finds Cullen. Taken off guard by his appearance and by the barrier going back up so quickly, Lusahn agrees to take him back to her home to hide out and find out what his game is.
I loved the character of Lusahn. She's a female warrior who has earned her own Blade (or small team formation) and the respect of her fellow soldiers. She's also a surrogate mother to two orphan children whose parents crossed the barrier to their death. And she's a real woman! She has a somewhat tough outer shell but inside she is vulnerable and lonely and looking for something to make her life complete. She doesn't need wine and roses and constant flattery - just honesty and a man who who won't try to make her into something she isn't.
I had a small problem with Cullen. He's spent the entire time since his first meeting with Lusahn dreaming of meeting her again to "bed her". Even after going across the barrier, his intention is to get his pleasure and leave her behind, even knowing she is his friend Barak's sister. Granted once he is there and see's her world and why her people are so desperate to leave; sees her determination with her foster children and her place in her world, he can't help but admire her. Even when he finally makes the decision to try and persuade her to go back with him, its a light bulb moment and not something that he seriously considered beforehand. But I will give him credit: when an underhanded attack by her comrades separates them on opposite sides of the border, he never hesitates to lead a suicide mission back into her world to rescue her from certain execution. I guess you could sum Cullen up as a playboy gone good.
It felt to me as if this was the last in the series as there was no foreshadowing or new characters thrown into the mix. But as with all prolific writers, never say never! I am waiting to see if Alexis Morgan adds to this series and where she takes it next.
Cullen Finley is a Paladin warrior who is friends with Barak q'Arc, an Other from the 3rd book. Continuing the storyline from there, instead of sending the message across the barrier as Barak requested, crosses the barrier in hopes of once again meeting the female warrior he met in battle a few months ago who has stayed in his dreams.
Lusahn (wow I love that name) q'Arc is Barak's sister and the female warrior Cullen met and dreamed of. He too torments her memory of the fateful day when she wounded him and he stole her warrior heart. She is at the barrier with the intent of killing her "traitor" brother but instead finds Cullen. Taken off guard by his appearance and by the barrier going back up so quickly, Lusahn agrees to take him back to her home to hide out and find out what his game is.
I loved the character of Lusahn. She's a female warrior who has earned her own Blade (or small team formation) and the respect of her fellow soldiers. She's also a surrogate mother to two orphan children whose parents crossed the barrier to their death. And she's a real woman! She has a somewhat tough outer shell but inside she is vulnerable and lonely and looking for something to make her life complete. She doesn't need wine and roses and constant flattery - just honesty and a man who who won't try to make her into something she isn't.
I had a small problem with Cullen. He's spent the entire time since his first meeting with Lusahn dreaming of meeting her again to "bed her". Even after going across the barrier, his intention is to get his pleasure and leave her behind, even knowing she is his friend Barak's sister. Granted once he is there and see's her world and why her people are so desperate to leave; sees her determination with her foster children and her place in her world, he can't help but admire her. Even when he finally makes the decision to try and persuade her to go back with him, its a light bulb moment and not something that he seriously considered beforehand. But I will give him credit: when an underhanded attack by her comrades separates them on opposite sides of the border, he never hesitates to lead a suicide mission back into her world to rescue her from certain execution. I guess you could sum Cullen up as a playboy gone good.
It felt to me as if this was the last in the series as there was no foreshadowing or new characters thrown into the mix. But as with all prolific writers, never say never! I am waiting to see if Alexis Morgan adds to this series and where she takes it next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2011
Another fun and exciting installment in the Paladin series. This time we get a look at the home world of the "Others" and some insight into their lifestyle and why some try to escape to the light. Cullen and Lusahn are a good couple. There is an immediate attraction, both physical and emotional, between them and they don't let the fact that their peoples are sworn enemies get in the way.
This book picks up right where book 3 left off, so I think it's important to have read at least that book before reading this one. However, due to the continuing storyline throughout all the books, I think reading them all in order is the best. This book only moves the storyline arc forward a little and I wish it had done more with it. But, it does add more dimension to the "Others", or Kalith, as they call themselves, which I think will make for some thought provoking and potentially complicated plots in future books.
All in all, a solid and quick read and I look forward to reading book 5.
This book picks up right where book 3 left off, so I think it's important to have read at least that book before reading this one. However, due to the continuing storyline throughout all the books, I think reading them all in order is the best. This book only moves the storyline arc forward a little and I wish it had done more with it. But, it does add more dimension to the "Others", or Kalith, as they call themselves, which I think will make for some thought provoking and potentially complicated plots in future books.
All in all, a solid and quick read and I look forward to reading book 5.
October 26, 2011
The fourth book in the Paladin series by Alexis Morgan. I liked this one better than the last. We finally get to find out what kind of world the "Others" come from & what drives them over the barrier into the light of Earth. The Paladin males are hot warriors and this time we get to see an Other female warrior with whit, strength, & intelligence to match those men. Hot chemistry between the 2 main characters Cullin & Lusahn. Only a couple of things bothered me. The quickness of the relationship was unreal and, most annoying, once again the ending was abrupt. The big action scene ends & all we get is a few paragraphs about some sort of shake up the organization & then the couple is perfectly happy, & falling into bed. So many things left unsaid & no closure. But, I'd still recommend this to fans of Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, & SciFi/Fantasy.
September 9, 2011
Morgan has a formula, and it works. As a result, the stories are pretty similar in each book of the series, though I've been drawn into the overall story arc despite myself. I do appreciate that she changes up the characters personalities, way of speaking, and sexual preferences though. This book felt a little abrupt, but my feelings are pretty much whatever, it is what it is. It's also ironic that after supposedly uncounted years of history in which the Paladins never had loving monogamous relationships, there is a break out of them within the span of a few months. Speaking of which, the time line, especially in this book, seems a little off to me. But again, it is what it is, and they remain enjoyable, and, dare I say, rousing...LOL
January 30, 2011
I really like that this novel is sorta from the perspective of a female outsider. For me that's what is truly unique about this novel out of the entire series. For the most part the series, gives both male and female perspectives on how events transpire but because the Paladins are the one's with the most self-esteem problems it is there mental process that are explained the most. But because this novel focuses on Lusahn, the perspective shifts. She is a warrior leader in her own right. She is introduced in the novel proceeding this one. This is a series that can be read out of order but I don't recommend it.
July 3, 2013
The romance was a little lackluster since both the hero and heroine jumped into being together with barely any reservation--which was pretty odd coming from the heroine. The hero at least had exposure to her brother in the human world and had come to see that all of the Others weren't the same. I expected that the heroine would take longer to see the hero as more than just a killer of her people but she seemed to shrug it off easily. Seeing the other side of the barrier and what the world of the Others was really like, plus finding out why the Others kept trying to cross in the first place, was something I liked a lot.
November 6, 2009
I adore this series of books from Alexis Morgan. The paranormal premise is original & interesting, along with hunky warriors & the women they love. Redeemed in Darkness focuses on the "Other's" world where a paladin from the human side has fallen in love with an Other - a woman warrior. Although I love this series, I found this 4th book not quite as good as the others which was disappointing as I thought the Other's world could have been quite interesting to read about, instead it wasn't as descriptive as I had hoped.
December 29, 2009
I am so sad to be at the end of this series... Hopefully more will follow.
In this book you meet Lusahn, a Female warrior, and Barak's sister. While Barak is sent to save Lacey, his true love, he is unable to cross the barrier to keep the meeting with his kin. Cullen has volunteered to send a letter across to explain, but at the last moment decides to deliver the message to Lusahn in person... At that moment the Barrier slams shut and Cullen is trapped in the world of others and in front of a female warrior...Lusahn d'Arc.
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