Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: 6 Aug
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
In this thrilling conclusion to the Guardian series, New York Times bestselling author Meljean Brook delivers another stunning page-turner, in which the fate of humanity depends upon a tortured warrior winning the trust—and heart—of the woman he wounded…
After a terrifying encounter in Hell destroys her trust in Michael, the Guardian’s powerful leader, former detective Andromeda Taylor is ready to call it quits as one of the angelic warriors and resume her human life again. But when demonic forces threaten her closest friends and she uncovers a terrifying plot devised by Lucifer, Taylor is thrown straight into Michael’s path again…
To defeat Lucifer, Michael needs every Guardian by his side—and he needs Taylor more than any other. The detective is the key to keeping his own demonic side at bay, and Michael will do anything to protect her and keep her close. And when Taylor manifests a deadly power, her Gift might tip the scales in the endless war between Heaven and Hell…or it might destroy them both with a single touch.
This blurb came from the author’s website.
Brook’s Guardian’s series was my introduction to her writing starting in 2005 with her prequel novella included in the Hot Spell anthology. I found myself fascinated by this world with demons, vampires, angels, Guardians, and not quite so ordinary humans. Each installment seemed to both illuminate and further obscure the path through the maze created by inhuman politics and ambition that the Guardians walked. Each installment also dragged me deeper into this world and seriously made me wonder what new twists Brook would bring into play and how she would manage to tie up all the threads while still developing plot and characters in the final book. Even now a few weeks after I finished reading Guardian Demon I continue to marvel over what I read and how Brook provided a most excellent conclusion.
I was worried when I initially started reading Guardian Demon because my intended re-read of the entire series failed to happen. Real life decided it wanted a say in my plans **grin** but I did not have any issues joining the thread of the story. Brook put dedicated effort into melding the back-story with this installment for that very reason but if you feel you really want a refresher before reading I suggest you visit her Guardian Series Primer which will bring you up to date with the series and also provides other useful bits of information. I have referred to this more than once while reading the series because Brook’s world is extremely complicated and I do not always have time to go back and re-read.
Michael had been around since the beginning or so it seemed. As a result, he was held in great esteem by the other Guardians, so great esteem that the events of the previous book sent shockwaves reverberating through their society. While continuing to fight against demonic activity the Guardians used all of their power, knowledge, and magic to find a way to rescue Michael. They succeeded but the cost was extremely high, not in terms of human life but in terms of the trust of one key person.
This installment almost seemed to have two intertwined parallel stories taking place. One was the relationship between Taylor and Michael and the other was the culminating battle between the Guardians and their allies. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of them as events and intensity increased. On one hand, Michael was patiently trying to convince Taylor to regain her trust in not just the other Guardians but also in Michael. On the other hand Michael was partially leading partially advising the Guardians in their struggle to determine what was happening in Hell, how that would alter things on earth, and how to win a decisive enough battle to bring an end to the war.
Brook wove a delicate balance between the two distinct elements gradually bringing them together so by the time the final battle began there was a seamless whole. The overall outcome of both was still hanging in balance until the very end, which was another aspect that I loved. Even though this is a paranormal romance series, therefore I know it should end in a HEA (happily ever after), I was so caught up in the story while I was reading the path to Michael and Taylor’s HEA had me worried. I was very glad to see Brook resolve all of my questions and doubts.
Guardian Demon was a great conclusion to this series. Brook continued to give equal share to the current relationship and crises while demonstrating how the events and main characters from earlier installments continued to play an active role. Catching glimpses of their relationships and seeing how they transitioned over time also provided a great sense of continuity. I wish every series ended with the same feeling of well-earned closure and hope experienced by the characters. While I am sad to see this series end, I really enjoyed reading the ending.
I give Guardian Demon an A.
I’m so jealous you’ve read it already! Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much.
Great review E, this is one of the many series still on my wishlist. But someday …
@Rebe it was glorious and I wanted to make sure this review was up before release day.
@Xaurianx Glad you enjoyed reading it. Make sure you set aside some time when you read them :).
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