Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian
Series: Midnight Breed #14
Published by Indie
Published on: September 1, 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 228
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Daywalker Brynne Kirkland survived a hellish upbringing as a product of a madman's lab. Tough, driven, and devoted to her work in law enforcement, Brynne has never dared to risk opening her heart to anyone-least of all a handsome immortal from a world on the verge of war against hers. Atlantean warrior Zael left the intrigue of his realm several lifetimes ago, along with the battles he fought as one of the queen's legion. As a free-spirited loner walking the fringe of two worlds-that of his secretive and powerful people, and the outside world belonging to mankind and the Breed-it was never his intention to return to combat and bloodshed. Nor had he imagined that he might ever be tempted into anything stronger than desire . . . until he meets Brynne. Thrust together as allies of the Order in the fight against a diabolical enemy, Zael and Brynne embark on a mission that will ultimately force them to decide between duty to their people, and a passion that defies all bounds.
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Book 14 of the Midnight Breed books, Defy the Dawn, tells Brynne Kirkland’s story and what happens when she finds herself drawn to Atlantean warrior, Zael. Brynne is a daywalker in the world of the Breed, a vampire like race. She was working in London for JUSTIS, a law enforcement agency for Breed and Human interactions. When an attack pretty much levels the building that houses her work-a work she was just let go from that very day, she relocates to the U.S., and to the Order. The Order fights against an evil terrorist group named, Opus Nostrum. As the Order is pretty much responsible for the loss of her job due to her secret work for them, they welcome her. Also on hand at The Order headquarters, Zael is pretty determined to get Brynne in his life. What he doesn’t know is that she has a pretty horrific secret-one that keeps her out of any relationship longer than a one night stand.
This has always been a favorite series of mine. I read the first ten books, back to back, because I couldn’t put them down. Along the way, the author changed things up in a big way and twenty years pass in the series leaving the children of the original characters to now be main characters. Of course, they aren’t all children of the originals, but some are. Starting with book 11, everything is now different and while I liked that book(Edge of Dawn), the first ten books are still my favorites of the series. Back in the beginning these warriors were a secret organization, and humankind knew nothing of their existence. Now that’s all changed, and with the main characters of the first ten now regulated to peripheral character status, I am not as happy with the series as I was previously. I do still like the series, it’s just different-in just about every way possible. The addition of an Atlantean in a previous book was a welcome change for me, so I was happy to see that Zael was getting his book, and it hasn’t even been that long of a wait.
This ended up being a good paranormal romance, but to be honest, I was more interested in Zael’s back story and his people. The reader gets to meet a lot more of the Atlantean’s and visit their earth home, one that is shrouded in secrecy. Zael is the only one that is trusted to go back and forth between the Atlantean home and “real life.” Adrian’s depiction of what it would be like if Atlanteans still existed was interesting and well imagined. Another thing that was fascinating about this read was Brynne’s secret and the back story about how that came to be-something I am not even touching on, due to spoilers.
I know I haven’t told a lot about the actual story and that’s on purpose. It was a good read, with some suspense, and lots of romance. You don’t absolutely have to read the others that came before this, but I highly recommend them-especially important in truly understanding Brynne’s problem. This is an adult read due to sensual scenes and violence.
Recommended to adult paranormal romance readers. although a good number of these books also fit under the urban fantasy umbrella. This one, while it had violence and some action, just seemed more of a paranormal romance to me.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Great review for this Lorna, glad you had such a good time with it. 😀
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week!
Thank you Ali!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
Really, really should find my copies of this series! Craving for some vamps. 😉
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 197
Definitely should if you have copies already. I loved the first ten as much as I loved Black Dagger Brotherhood and read them back to back 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
This is the next one in the series for me. I’m pretty interested in Zael’s backstory, too.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Lit Fuse by Caisey Quinn #AfternoonDelight
I agree, I was looking forward to Zael’s story a lot. I love that you enjoy this series too 🙂
That’s kind of cool how the author switched it up after 10 book like that though. I sounds like a good series overall.
Christy LoveOfBooks recently posted…Infini by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Yes, because really you don’t have to read past the tenth book due to the ending of the series. The next books and novellas after book ten have the same type of characters, but mostly they are the children of the original characters who are now only sporadically in the books. Enemies are new as well. I like the books, but I am not as invested as I was in the first ten 🙂
I have read the first 4 books and loved them, so I have no idea why I am so far behind!!! Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Yes, if you loved them I hope you read on in the series, so good! And thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
I have been wanting to read these. I think this is my fave kind of PNR… those that also fit under UF. Oh you are making me want to start this series soon!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Taking a Break: Humanity and a Humorous Book Review
If you like a mix of PNR and UF these are perfect for you. Hope you get a chance to try them!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
I’m glad this was a good installment in the series, Lorna. You know this is a series I started but didn’t keep up with and I wish I had. The number of books is a bit daunting at this point. But I did get a few of them in audio in December. Hopefully I can get caught up. 🙂 Great review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #57
It’s kind of like it’s a series of ten and then a spinoff series. Unfortunately you do have to read (or listen) to them in order as there’s an ongoing story arc. One of theses days I would like to have the time to reread them actually. And thank you!
Whew 14 books, that’s a long series. It sounds like the series is still good, even though you like it less than the first ten books. It seems it has a strong plot next to the romance as well, which sounds well done. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: What I like about Cozy Mysteries
I would think of it as ten books with an ending and then a spinoff series actually. Each book has a different romance as well, which I do like. Thank you!
Oh goodness. Yeah, that’s quite the change up for a series! I could see why that would be a bit jarring. Maybe a spin-off series would have been easier for that change. Glad they’re still good, though! I read book one ages ago and always meant to get back to these.
anna recently posted…4 stars– Samson’s Lovely Mortal (Scanguards Vampires #1) by Tina Folsom
Your reply is right below this. Sorry I put it in the wrong spot!
I read the first ten almost back to back. Totally immersed myself and its something I’ve only done for just a few other series. Book ten does end the series, so when it starts over its pretty much the same world but different main characters and enemies. I hope you get a chance to dive back in!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
Wow! Book 14! Sounds like the series is still going strong!
Funny that you were more interested in Zael’s back story!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Taking Turns by J.A. Huss ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@jahuss)
Zael is Atlantean! I am always interested in an author’s interpretation of what happened to Atlantas and its people 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne Duvall (@Mollykatie112, @DianneDuvall)