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Review
Another PNR series for me to get stuck into. Oh yeah!
A little bit similar to the Dark Hunter books (at least in terms of the character set up), this is a series where it’s Immortals (good guys) vs Vampires (bad guys) existing in secret alongside humankind.
We are introduced to the world of Immortals when human Sarah comes across a man being tortured in the woods behind her house. Going all badass with a shovel, she saves the guy and brings him back to her house, tending his wounds and caring for him. He introduces himself as Roland, and with him claiming an allergy to sunlight (*snicker*), he manages to remain safely ensconced in her house for the day, giving them ample opportunity to chat politely and get to know each other. All is going well for them until Roland’s enemies return for him, putting both of their lives in danger and forcing him to share his true Immortal nature.
I really liked Sarah. She’s intelligent and sensible, and although initially freaked out by the reveal of the paranormal world around her, she takes it like a champ (she’s a pnr reader – gotta love that!), and doesn’t fight her feelings for the broody Immortal.
Roland is a different kind of pnr hero. He is a 900+ year old Immortal guardian, and is very reclusive. He has been betrayed over and over by those he has loved, and so has closed himself off from others. But despite his antisocial nature, his badass warrior status, and having the power that he does, he’s an absolute gentleman. He’s honourable, respectful, he uses his manners, and he is beautifully gentle and tender with Sarah (except for when things between them progress and he’s all feral with horniness and slamming her up against the wall!).
Yeah, this book is hot! With explicit sex, and plenty of it!
The love story builds from the very beginning, with an obvious attraction between Roland and Sarah. And even though things happen pretty quickly in terms of timeframe (almost the entire first half of the book all takes place in one very eventful day), the build up is paced nicely throughout the story, and we are able to see each conversation, each touch, and each meaningful stare. Almost verging on insta-love, their relationship is fast-paced and completely angst and complication-free. They fall for each other hard, they act on it, they open up to each other, and they don’t hold anything back. It’s actually really refreshing.
“Do you know how easy it would be for me to fall in love with you?”
But with an evil bad guy out to settle a score with the Immortal hottie, as well as other disturbances going on in the supernatural world, there is a some intrigue, and a lot of fighting and action, and we are introduced to a wider cast of Immortals that will have their stories told as the series progresses.
I really enjoyed this world. It is yet another twist on the vampire legend – with vampirism being caused by a virus, no less! The mythology behind the Immortals is a little different, however, and I suspect there are still secrets to be revealed about that. I did find the repeated references to how environmentally responsible the Immortals are, to be a little eye rolling. They all recycle, and there is lots of talk about the wonders of organic food and the evils of any kind of processed food, it came across as a little preachy at times, and I thought it was a little weird :\
With the story told from multiple POV, we get to know both Roland and Sarah really well, as well as some of the side characters – Seth (all-knowing, all-powerful leader of the Immortals, and a calm, sedate, and caring, Acheron-type character), Bastien the mysterious bad guy, and Marcus, who I love! He is Roland’s close friend and a fellow Immortal with a fantastic sense of humour (even though he’s coming off his very own heartbreak), and, of course he also has a badass streak. He is the focus of the next book, and I’m excited to get to know him better.
This is a quick and easy read. The world is not too complex, the characters are all likeable, the love story is hot and swoony, and I even had a few laughs at the banter between the guys. It held my interest from start to finish, and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
4 stars.
Check out our Immortal Guardians / Gifted Ones series page for more information on this exciting series – including reading order, reviews and buy links.