For millennia the struggle between light and dark, between the upper and lower realms, has been policed by a secret group of warriors culled from every fabric of existence. They are both otherworld and human, male and female. They are light and dark themselves and known to each other as the League of Guardians. Their pledge, to protect the line between dominions and make sure neither side grows too powerful. If they fall, so shall the earth, the heavens and hell. And there will be no more.
With darkness all around him, The League of Guardians is his only means of redemption…
Azaiel, the fallen, has been given a second chance to atone for the sins of his past. With demons gathering and threatening the league, he must find out if their circle has been breached. What he doesn’t foresee is a woman—a fierce warrior—who will turn his world upside down and awaken his tortured soul.
Rowan James is a powerful witch out to avenge the death of her beloved grandmother, but she needs an ally. Will she be able to trust a man with secrets as dark as the sorrow in his eyes? Loving Rowan means risking salvation and yet Azaiel cannot ignore the hunger burning hot between them—his one last chance at happiness. With danger all around them, will these two desperate souls finally find love in each other? Or be forever damned…
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King of the Damned: A League of Guardians Novel
Before I get started, can I just say how much I am loving this series (shout out to Avon for introducing me to this fab author). Let me first begin with a bit of a synopsis for you other then the blurb above. So jump to the bottom if you don't want spoilers but I'll keep it to a minimum. First, as a side note to the story, there is an underlying classic plot line (girl has a destiny, she doesn't want it, so she runs away and tries a "normal" life in another city, tragedy brings her home and destiny won't be denied). Even though we do have a classic story line, it's totally worth the read.
So our heroine, Rowan James (whom I love BTW), is a witch who's family (coven) is marked by a Demon Lord. The Demon Lord is picking the women off, one by one through a mark he brands into them. He is literally using them for batteries to fuel his power and Rowan is by far the most powerful James yet. Rowan knows she is marked and her grandmother (Cara) has muted the mark, so she can't be found. Knowing this, Rowan has moved to California to escape her destiny and is trying to live a normal life away from the supernatural but when said grandmother is killed, Rowan is forced back into the fray. She is the one who discovers her grandmother has probably been killed (Que big blood puddle in house) and decides enough is enough. She is going to go after the Demon Lord and end this curse on her family. She is not going to see another James witch used and drained dry.
Enter our hero, Azaiel. He shows up right after Rowan discovers the blood and at first she's not sure if he's the killer. Azaiel is part of The League of Guardians (see blurb) although he's probably the least trusted out of all of them. Azaiel is a Fallen Angel and did something so dishonorable, for an Angel, he was stripped of everything and was offered to work for the League or become mortal. He chose the League. Honestly all the Guardians are a bit shady. They all come from shady pasts, where they've done something horrible and joining The League is kinda like their penance. Azaiel has been sent by The League to find out who murdered Cara but what Azaiel didn't bank on was her granddaughter Rowan.
Rowan is a totally kick ass chick! She is totally an alpha and knows it. She is bound and determined to bring the Demon Lord down and wage war on whatever gets in her way, including The League, if need be to protect her family, friends and town. Rowan completely takes over the situation knowing what's at stake and accepts that likely also means her death, no rescuing males here. She needs all hands on deck. Her entire family and town who know what's going on are called to arms. In fact, when Azaiel calls in his own bad ass reinforcements, Rowan steps up to tell the huge hulking alpha males "I told you last night. This is my war, and I'm calling the shots. There's only room for one alpha in this pack, and it sure as hell isn't any of you. I'll accept your help because I'm not stupid. The shit is about to hit, and it's going to hit hard." Now who doesn't love a tiny slip of a woman saying that to a bunch of otherworld/supernatural testosterone filled men.
The romance that blooms in the midst of this war is heated, wonderful and full of sacrifice. Azaiel adds a wonderful balance to Rowan. She's tough as nails but is jello on the inside knowing the gravity of the situation. Azaiel follows her lead and stands beside her. He never for once takes away control from her or belittles her in front of anyone but steps in to keep her in line if need be, like any good second. He also is there to catch her tears when no one is looking.
I absolutely loved this read and I think you will too.
5 out of 5 books!
Thanks for the great review!
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