Title: Darkness Dawns
Series: Immortal Guardians #1
Author: Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Publisher: Tantor Media Inc
Format: MP3, 10hrs 39mins.
Published: July 25, 2011
My Copy: bought
Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible-when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.
I’m just going to come out and say it right off the bat so that when I start babbling like a love-struck school girl you’ll have been warned… I love, love, LOVED this book! Darkness Dawns is flirty, energetic and features one of the cutest paranormal couples that I’ve ever encountered. That’s saying something considering I just met them! Dianne Duvall’s writing is so real that I needed a reality check every time I took a reading break. I was so engrossed by the story that real life sort of slipped to the sidelines. Kirsten Potter’s beautiful job as the narrator definitely helped too. Look out Bones and Barrons, Roland might succeed in stealing your spot as my top fictional boyfriend!
It’s really hard for an author to accurately portray the magnetic chemistry that exists between soulmates. I’m sure you know a couple or two in real life who just have this “thing” about them; two peas in a pod or cut from the same cloth if you will. Duvall achieved near perfection when she created Roland and Sarah. These two couldn’t be more opposite but that’s what makes them so good together. Miss Bingham is a school teacher, enjoys gardening and leads a quiet, human life. Warbrook is nine centuries old, anti-social and an immortal guardian. From their very first chance meeting it was obvious that these two are a match made in heaven. They just don’t know it yet! Sarah is the voice of reason to Roland’s stubborn resistant nature. I couldn’t help but crack a smile every time these two interacted with each other. Had they been real, I could have spent hours just watching them. It didn’t matter whether they were discussing dinner or an upcoming battle. Sarah and Roland have a knack for making the most mundane things interesting.
The story itself is spellbinding. Dianne’s world and characters (even the side ones) are all beyond awesome. Marcus’ tragic love story is as hopelessly romantic as it is heartbreaking. Seth is the oldest immortal among them and hides so much knowledge about their kind from the others that I was desperate to learn more. Unfortunately, he gives away nothing! Amiriska is yet another mysterious character who has the potential to be formidable in future installments. I’m not even going to cover David, Lisette, Bastien and Étienne because I’ll never finish!
The plot is as action-packed as it is passionate. When bullets aren’t flying or a battle to the death isn’t occurring, Roland and Sarah are busy getting it on. I was turned-on by their conversations alone so you can only imagine how hot their romp sessions are! I also enjoyed the distinctions that Duvall makes between immortals and vampires. She covers their origins in detail and even explores their DNA. Kirsten Potter’s narration does Darkness Dawns justice. Her accents are dead-on and her voice is mesmerizing. This book is already awesome but believe it or not, she makes it even better!
It takes me a lot longer to get through an audio book than a physical copy but every time I dived back in it was as though no time had elapsed at all. The story was always fresh in my mind and it took me mere seconds to reimmerse myself into this fab tale. Darkness Dawns is pure greatness wrapped up in a sexy Roland package. Five stars all the way!
  My Review |
  My Review |
  My Review |
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Great review Carmel! It has been a while since I listened to this book, but I can remember how original it was, and also how excellent the narrator was.
I think it was a 4 stars for me because I felt the romance happened a little too fast for my taste (I remember it was HOT tho.). You are so right! the action and suspense and originality are awesome!!
I can’t believe I forgot all about the following book, it’s been out for a while.
Thanks for refreshing my memory about this series, I don’t know how in the world I had forgotten all about it.
Thanks.
Excellent! I have recently started using audiobooks when I walk – if the book is good I tend to walk for longer which is a huge plus.
@Lupdilup What!? How could you!? LOL 😉
@Dana – Let’s Book It I can see that. Great way to get in shape and read at the same time! Maybe I should give that a try…