Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

Darkness Dawns

Written by Dianne Duvall

Reading Source: Library
Series: Immortal Guardians
Book #: 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
Rating: 4 Stars

Amazon Book Description: In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts. . .where passion can last forever, if you're willing to pay the price. . .

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. . .

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. I knew what I was getting into with this though. I'm a serial series-reader. The first books are always the roughest book in the series, what with all the need to provide background for the world. I have to give anyone who comes up with a "new world" at least  3 stars - it's not easy to build a back story for not just a couple of characters, but an entire species!

In this new world, vampires are indiscriminate killers and immortals are the one's charged with protecting the humans. You see - vampires and immortals have something in common, they are both the victim of a virus that caused their altered state. The only thing is, immortals were born different - they have a special power, sometimes small, sometimes great, but special nonetheless. When a hunky, naked man is staked, stabbed and strung out to die, Sarah can't sit back and let another living creature die. Welding not but a shovel, Sarah rescues Roland, a powerful immortal. Little does she know that Roland is an immortal, and that saving him will thrust her right in the middle of a mysterious revenge plot against Roland.

Roland is a powerful, yet anti-social  immortal. With a difficult past, both when he was mortal and after he changed - Roland is reluctant to trust anyone. Sarah is different for some reason and Roland is compelled to keep her safe. The only problem is, he has no idea who is seeking revenge against him.

The back story of the Immortals and Vampires is a little vague so far. We know that it is a virus, and that there is no cure. However, we don't know what the oldest immortal, Seth, knows - but it is hinted that we might learn this in the future. Plus we are left with a few other open-endings. They are tasteful cliff hangers, which I appreciate. This story is told in it's entirety - but, the stories of others remain open. The characters were built up to be not only supportive of the main characters, but to give us generalities about them to lead into the next stories.

I can't wait to get the next book from the library. This is a series that I will probably end up buying.