by Dianne Duvall
Series: Immortal Guardians #8
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
He awakens encapsulated in dirt with no knowledge of how he came to be there. Riddled with injuries, he can remember neither his past nor who he is. Nor can he remember what he is. But surely no mortal man could survive being buried deep beneath the earth. All he knows with certainty is that the soothing voice and presence of the woman moving around above enables him to endure the agony of his wounds. And he will do whatever it takes to be with her.
When Susan first sees the old two-story house for sale, such warmth and longing fill her that—against all reason—she makes an offer. It will take years of hard work and money she frankly doesn’t have to fix up the place. So she can’t explain why she bought it. She also can’t explain what compels her to spend hours one night, digging in the basement until she unearths a man. A man who still lives and breathes despite having been buried alive. A man whose intense brown eyes glow amber with pain, declaring him far more than ordinary. Susan knows she should keep her distance. He has no memory and possesses gifts that would make most fear him. But as the two work together to unravel the mystery of his past, she finds herself drawn in by his teasing nature and tender touch. So much so that she loses her heart to him even as they find themselves hunted by unknown enemies who are ruthless in their quest to capture them.
From her strong alphas and feisty, fearless females to the tight-knit family she has created, Dianne Duvall ‘s Immortal Guardians series remain one of my favorite PNR series. Awaken the Darkness, recaps the ending of Blade of Darkness and picks up the story two years later. While a threat is imminent, Duvall allows us to experience a delightful romance as a young telepath helps an Immortal Guardian heal.
After the events of Blade of Darkness I was worried about the fate of someone in the guardians. In Awaken the Darkness, we learn what happens before the story begins two years later. For those who have read other reviews the cat is out of the bag on which Immortal Guardian this story is about, but since I never reveal more than the synopsis in my reviews, I will not be mentioning his name. While I recommend reading the entire series, it is important to note that anyone of these books can read as a standalone and feature one couple’s romance.
Reasons, Awaken the Darkness, is my favorite book of the series to date.
- Duvall brings her characters completely to life. She fleshes them out and gives these characters history, baggage, emotions, and family ties. She allows the reader to become emotional connected. The story begins with a prologue. The Immortals are attacking compound . We feel our hero’s pain as one of his own is torn from this world. Then the world goes dark before he awakens in pain and finds himself trapped beneath dirt. He hears a soothing voice and brings him comfort and this is where our story begins.
- Most of our story takes place in an old farmhouse. Her we Susan Meyer an author who is also happens to be a telepath. She, along with her dog are searching for a property with lots of privacy. Susan can read the thoughts of others and is looking for some tranquility. I liked Susan almost immediately. I mean she write, is a gifted one and a dog lover. BFFs forever. Something about this farmhouse speaks to her, and soon she is moving in.
- Susan and her dog discover our guardian and rescue him. Susan first helps him heal and soon discover he has lost his memory. In the process the two become close and despite their sizzling chemistry they do nothing more than hold hands and exchange a few kisses. Neither knows if he is already in a committed relationship. I loved this time the spent alone together and the discoveries they made. Things triggered partial memories like the fact that he speaks several languages and can heal. As they talked, we learned more about Susan’s past and I began to make connections. I love how Duvall weaves threads throughout the series.
- Before finding him, Susan dreamt about him and I loved when she connected the guardian to the man in her dreams. As the two sleep they share a dreamscape and it was pretty dang interesting.
- When our guardian and the rest of the immortals reunite I wept. Oh lord, grab the kleenexes. The emotions and connections. So many feels.
- We get some intense action scenes that would put most action movies to shame. Heart-pounding, near death moments but Duvall weaves in her signature humor with banter, teasing and more. Susan is quite the kick-ass heroine. She knows how to handle a gun and fearlessly defends our guardian. I loved her spunk.
- Healing, reunions and passion made for an addictive tale. We discover a few things and weave threads together in the overall arc before getting an epilogue that made me smile. Now if Ms. Duvall could write faster, all would be well.
Awaken the Darkness hooked me from the very first page and I devoured it in two sittings. Brilliant and perfectly paced it had all the elements I love in a Duvall novel. It offered a nice balance of swoons and heart-pounding action.
Awaken the Darkness by Dianne Duvall may be just be my favorite Immortal Guardian novel to date. Grab a cup of coffee and find out why. #MustRead #PNR Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Dianne Duvall
Thank you for the fantastic review, Kimberly! I’m so glad you liked it! I had so much fun writing this couple. 🙂
Kimberly
You are welcome. And now I wait for the next one!
Olivia Roach
Oh wow, your favourite book in the series yet! It sounds like it must be an amazing read in that case. I am glad you could love it so much and enjoy it even more than the others that have had come so far. Great review x
Kimberly
I adore this author, and if you want to dabble in snark filled, swoon-worthy PNR this series is awesome!
Stefanie
I don’t believe I’ve heard of this series. I’ll be checking it out on GR.
Kimberly
Sweet. I hope you try them
Teresa Mary Rose
That synopsis really grabs you! This sounds like such a good read. I am going to have to check this series out!
Kimberly
I hope you do. I have such fun with this author
Barbara Strickland
I love this author and love this series so just finished reading this and thoroughly enjoyed although the edge is not as strong as the beginning of the series but she is such an easy author to read and never disappoints.
Kimberly
I am glad you are a fan as well,
Anne @ The Reading Life
Okay, but can we please talk about that book cover?! It looks so bad-ass! Also, is it does me or does anyone else got Thor Ragnarok poster vibe from the cover?
Great review!
Kimberly
Oh good vibe.!
Dianne Duvall
So glad you like the cover, Anne! 🙂 And cool vibe! I used to work in the local independent film industry before I started writing full-time, so—now that I’ve gone indie and can do whatever I want with the covers—I try to make each one as exciting as a movie poster. 😉
Debbie Haupt - The Reading Frenzy
Hmm you and Lorna both love the series it seems, she’s new to me but I like the sound of the series, so wish list
Kimberly
Yes, I love everything she has written.
Angela Adams
“Susan and her dog discover our guardian and rescue him.” — I love books featuring a heroic dog (smile!). Enjoy your weekend!
Kimberly
The poor dog. He was a sweetie
Crystal @ Lost in Storyland
This sounds like an interesting world. I’ll have to check out this series! 🙂
Kimberly
Fantastic. I would love to hear your thoughts if you read them Crystal.
Mary Kirkland
I’ve only read one book by this author but I enjoyed it. I need to pick up more of her books because this sounds pretty good.
Kimberly
Yay. I hope you read them all Mary 🙂
Lorna
My review posted today as well. I also wrote that it was my favorite of the series. And gave it 5 stars. So good! I have been listening to the first four recently since most are part of the Romance package and they are good that way too.
Kimberly
Hehe.yes, I commented on it this morning..lol Glad to hear the audios rock 🙂
sjhigbee
LOVE that cover – and the premise is great:))
Kimberly
It is such a fun ,well developed series. I hope you try them,
sherry fundin
Ominous title and wicked cool cover. Oh no, Carrie, buried alive? That is the creepiest…
Kimberly
Creepy indeed. Have a lovely weekend Sherry,
Carrie
We gave it the same rating! I adore this series too. This one was so good!! I mean c’mon… buried alive? haha Such a great imagination Dianne Duvall has! I love her!
Kimberly
Woot! Happy to hear it. I love this series.
Dianne Duvall
Thank you both! <3 <3 <3
Dianne Duvall
Thank you for the fabulous review, Carrie!
Anne
Another author I intend to read at some point. It’s great to hear the books are good further into the series. Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
I hope you do. She has books on audio too 🙂
Jenea's Book Obsession
This series sounds really, really good. And that cover!!!
Kimberly
One of my favs. It has all the elements I love like snark, great characters, witty dialogue, swoons and intense action
Ailyn Koay
book 8? And there’s still more heroes to pick on? If I were to find a living man in my basement I am sure hell won’t be digging him out…
Kimberly
LOL, there was a reason she felt compelled to do it.
Nadene
I have this series on my list. Itvwa your review of Blade of Darkness that introduced me to this author.
Kimberly
Yay, that makes me happy Nadene. I see a binge read in your future 🙂