Review: Darkness Avenged – Alexandra Ivy

THE SEARCH FOR A TRAITOR

As the demon world celebrates the defeat of the Dark Lord, the vampire Santiago’s mood remains bleak. He still yearns for the sensual, raven-haired Nefri, who has inexplicably disappeared. But brooding for Nefri is a luxury that Santiago does not have. His traitorous sire, Gaius, is unleashing a violent scourge upon the mortal world, and Santiago must stop him before it’s too late…

LEADS TO A DANGEROUS SEDUCTION

To her dismay, the all-powerful Oracles have sent Nefri on her own mission to find Gaius, and failure is not an option. Nefri’s search leads her to the vampire’s abandoned lair—and straight into Santiago’s path. It’s clear Santiago intends to seduce her, but then an ancient, banished evil reappears, threatening to thrust the world into a madness it cannot survive…

Series: Guardians of Eternity #10
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Zebra
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Iris
Rating: 

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

At a time when authors write approximately 60 pages and call it a book, it’s a refreshing change to read a book that is just that… a full-length novel. If anything there was so much going on in Darkness Avenged that Ms. Ivy could have easily turned it into 2 books. Fans however will be glad that she didn’t. Instead she gives us a storyline with 2 couple, our main being the highly anticipated return of Nefri and Santiago, multiple villains throughout the book and non-stop action. The secondary “couple” shall remain unnamed in hopes that Ivy takes pity on us and gives them their own book real soon.

For those familiar with the series, you already know Nefri and Santiago. So you know their history. Well, their back with even more sexual tension and a combustible chemistry you can only read about. They must work together to save the world… Again! And of course who can work closely with their Sexy ex and not want to rip either their head off or their clothes? Without going into their history for those not familiar with their shared past, it ended in heartbreak, although both of them are too hardheaded and willful to admit it out loud. So of course we’re all rooting for a hot and steamy reunion between these two. Was it hot and steamy? Yes, most definitely. Was it without its bumps in the road? Of course not. That would be too easy and highly unlikely given their past history.

After 10 books in the series I honestly did not expect to be impressed. Well, Ms. Ivy, color me impressed. Even the secondary characters were fantastic. Who could read anything coming from Levet, the gargoyle, and not bust a gut laughing? My favorite line would have to be:

“Hey.” Levet gave a sharp flap of his wings. “It is supposed to be farts before tarts.”

“What the -” Santiago made a sound of disgust. “Oh, for god’s sake, it’s ‘bros before hos.” 

I love books with humor, regardless of the genre and I have to admit, that this ugly little gargoyle almost stole the whole show for me.

If you haven’t read the previous books in the series I would advise getting them and reading them at your earliest opportunity. Although this is a great book, if you’re not familiar with the characters and the series, you will find yourself lost at times. However, those that do follow the Guardians of Eternity series will certainly not be disappointed.