Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians series Book 1)

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Duvall masterfully entwines romance and danger for a fresh take on the paranormal. Darkness Dawns starts out with a bang and continues at a fast, gripping pace that never disappointed." Similarly, astronomical dusk is the instant when the geometric center of the Sun is 18 degrees below the horizon in the evening. It marks the beginning of night time and the disappearance of the last shimmer of natural daylight. PNR fans, you should be reading this series. I’m pretty sure I love it. In a sea of books with similar themes, the Immortal Guardians stand out as something… I don’t know, just… better than most others. It features a group of immortal warriors who protect the world from vampires who have gone crazy and destructive. They’re pretty much vampires too, but they have a little something extra that allows them to stay sane and have a special gift or two. I know it sounds like a hundred other series out there, but it’s written really well, with such great characters and a good romance. The world building is really well done. The series arc is interesting. I may be late to this party, but I’m glad I’m finally here. I don't want to bash a book because the perfect immortal lead only eats organic, has a cat, a house that he built himself, has an interest in interior decorating as well as being a fearsome warrior who heals you with his hands and loves you completely after a few hours of knowing you. Danger abounds. Our couple is targeted by evil. Trust begins forming. Bosoms heave. Loins aflame. Climax is reached (in more ways than one). Danger abated. Love fulfilled. Life is perfect. Cue riding into the sunset.

Marcus stepped up beside him. "We also get shrieks, curses, pant wetting, bowels releasing"--Sarah grimaced--"religious recitations..." In addition to being important to navigation on the seas, nautical twilight also has military implications. For example, the military forces of the United States use nautical twilight, as reflected by the terms begin morning nautical twilight (BMNT) and end evening nautical twilight (EENT), to plan tactical operations. Each twilight phase is defined by the solar elevation angle, which is the position of the Sun in relation to the horizon. During astronomical twilight, the geometric center of the Sun's disk is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon.Yuma activates the third effect of "Chronomaly Atlandis" to detach an Overlay Unit ("Chronomaly Atlandis": 2 → 1 ORU) and halve the Shadow Giant's Life Points (Shadow Giant: 4000 → 2000 LP). Shadow Giant activates the first effect of "Unformed Void", detaching a "Bubble Breeder" ("Unformed Void": 3 → 2 ORU) to increase the ATK of "Unformed Void" by the combined ATK of all face-up Xyz Monsters Yuma currently controls ("Unformed Void": 0 → 5100 ATK). Yuma activates the effect of "Volcasaurus", detaching "Ganbara Lancer" ("Volcasaurus": 1 → 0 ORU) to destroy "Unformed Void" and inflict damage to Shadow Giant equal to half its ATK, but "Unformed Void" is not destroyed due to the second effect of "Overlay World". Well...there is no such thing as "innocence" and the author acting as jury, judge and executioner, through her characters, is highly annoying. Within the ship in the Emperor's Key, Astral lies in a Sphere Field, thinking about the powerful Over-Hundred "Numbers" that the Barians have used, that can even transform into " Number C" monsters. With their current power, he knows there's no guarantee he and Yuma will win next time they encounter the Barians (in the dub, Astral thinks that he and Yuma will not be able to beat the Barians until he finds a way to get stronger). Hearing something, Astral floats upright and the Sphere Field vanishes. All of the " Number" pillars are glowing and Astral wonders if they're trying to tell him something. Number 96 appears behind him, commenting that his fight against the Barians doesn't seem to be going too well. Astral insists that Number 96's power was sealed. Number 96 says that's true, but it doesn't mean he will obey Astral (in the dub, Number 96 states that Astral was wrong about seeing the last of him). He suggests that Astral allow him to lend his powers against the Barians. Astral responds that he'd never borrow power from someone like Number 96. Laughing, Number 96 says Astral has yet to recover the true memories of the "Numbers". He suggests Astral try to listen again - to him and the other "Numbers". (in the dub, Number 96 says that he knows that Astral has been stumbling around in the dark, and reasserts that Astral does not have the strength to fight the Barians alone--he needs Number 96's help) Number 96 insists that wherever there is light, there is also darkness, vanishing. The author also seems to be very sure of herself in claiming innocence or sin in a person. Most of her protagonists can tell just by looking at someone if they are "innocent." On my bed I remember you: I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:6-7

Duvall doesn't offer anything new or original to this formula and the story plays out rather predictably. Though, to be honest, that usually wouldn't be a problem or really a cause for complaint from me. I mean, I'm not expecting Pulitzer prize writing here. Nor am I expecting ground-breaking, thought-provoking storylines and prose. The main characters so flat and one dimensional that I almost felt embarrassed at the silly things they said or the boring action - seriously how long can a writer go on about prepping an organic salad, the importance of eating organic, being eco-friendly, recycling? Way too long! The author also felt it was important to mention that the Immortals used "environmentally safe dishwashing soap". When I read this part, I was cranky and hadn't had my morning coffee yet. You can imagine for yourself how well that particular line was received.Aside from the irritating similarity to Kenyon's Dark-Hunters, there were several other factors that kept me from enjoying this book - and close to DNF'ing it (and I really try not to DNF books).