Review: Duality (Guardians of Light) by Renee Wildes

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Book Blurb

Love will give them strength-or prove to be their fatal flaw. Guardians of the Light, Book 1. Dara Khan Androcles is really in over her head this time. From childhood she's been forced to hide her half-dragon mage fighting skills behind a public persona as a healer. Now, with a traitor and his demon threatening the throne of Safehold, Dara has no choice but to turn reluctant warrior-and seek help. She strikes a bargain with runaway Elven prince Loren ta Cedric and his sentient, pain-in-the-butt war mare, Hani'ena. Loren's not only too handsome for Dara's own good, the powerful empath can see right through to the pain that drives her. Loren can't help but feel Dara's every hurt, physical and emotional. Though his need for her drives him half mad, he must stay his course to see justice done for his people. Even if it means swearing a Life Debt to the distracting mortal. That vow, made in the heat of their parallel quests, carries more power than either of them guessed. The power to bond the unlikely pair as Life Mates. The power to lay bare the fears and desires that could bind them to a single purpose-or tear them apart. All the while a demon awaits, ready to destroy all that they hold dear. Warning: Contains patricide; noble self-sacrifice; one bad-ass, demon-possessed despot; a bad-tempered dragon; and a water mage who likes to "rain" on her husband's parade-literally. Downside: A quest for a magic book (written in blood) that nobody wants, and a talking war mare with the warm, fuzzy voice of Judy Densch. Upside: Serious ass-kicking. Be prepared to learn to curse, cry and laugh-in Elvish.

Buy Links

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Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala

In this first book of the Guardians of light series, Dara is a healer and a warrior.  She has to dress as a man when she enters the battlefield to heal.  Jalad had attacked the land while the king is away.  She attempts to heal the only father she ever knew but his injuries are too great.  She is asked to relieve his pain instead, then saves the mighty warrior that came to their aid.  She defends him from the enemy, then takes him to her cabin to heal.  Fate continues as she learns the Queen has fled to her family.  Loren heads to find Moira and Dara is supposed to travel meeting up with him.  Unfortunately the plan doesn’t go as thought.  Dara falls into enemy hands.  Jalad knows what she is and is determined to break her.  Dara would rather die.  Loren refuses to let her.  His oath is binding and his connection to her runs deep.  There is more to her than anyone knows.  The truth about her mother is shocking and she unlocks the past in order to help defeat the demon helping Jalad.

Loren’s people must join forces with humans and others to defeat the darkness that is trying to take over. Loren has to step in and lead the ways he never thought her would.  Everyone’s lives depend on it.

This book had an interesting storyline.  I love the powers Dara had, yet she was a mystery.  She knows nothing about her heritage or her mother.  So when the author reveals the information, Dara’s reaction is believable.  It was an interesting twist.  She has to accept a lot pretty quickly under the circumstances.  Loren is also from a strong family heritage.  He is surprised to be placed in the situations he finds himself.  His relationships with Dara are surprising.  He didn’t expect her which makes it fun to read.  Dara is the same way.  She doesn’t trust her feelings, nor does she think she is worthy of any feelings he may have toward her.  It’s fun to watch them muck up a bit.  I found it a pretty exciting read with some twists and turns.  I give it a 4 out of 5.

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