Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10 2020.

Chaaya endured centuries as a sacrifice, protecting her people from an evil that could destabilize all magic. At long last, her servitude is over—and she’s raring to have some fun. The baddest ghost-girl in Las Vegas has a talent for causing mayhem. And for getting under the skin of her solid, silent bodyguard, the vampire Basq . . .

Basq doesn’t let anyone close. He’s learned the costs of companionship. But reckless, disrespectful Chaaya, with her fiery temper and her fierce loneliness, isn’t like anyone else. Staying near her isn’t just a duty, it’s a hunger. When a prisoner of Chaaya’s last battle escapes, possibly seeking Chaaya’s nemesis, Basq isn’t letting her chase through a hellscape mirror London alone. But when the choice is between abandoning everything that’s kept them alive, or each other, survival will take not only desire—but trust .

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REVIEW:SHADES OF DARKNESS is the sixteen full-length instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is vampire Basq, and Chaaya’s story line. SHADES OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from a number of third person perspective following several intersecting paths SHADES OF DARKNESS focuses on Chaaya, a not quite human female, whose recent release from hundreds of years in a supernatural prison, sets out to wreak havoc on the world in which she now lives. Having been sacrificed by her mother years before, in an effort to save the world and mankind, Chaaya finds herself a ‘virtual prisoner’ at vampire Chiron’s Dreamscape Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada with her assigned security vampire Basq. The darkness that all but consumed our story line heroine has returned in the form of one-time were shifter Brigette, whose ‘escape’ from the underwater mer prison has started an investigation into betrayal and vengeance. Chaaya is determined to destroy Brigette before she consumes the world, but in doing so, finds herself with an unlikely partner in the man with whom Chaaya will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Chaaya and Basq, and the potential fall-out as the past comes back to claim our story line heroine.

The relationship between Chaaya and Basq begins as an assignment as Basq is tasked with ‘keeping an eye’ on our story line heroine. Chaaya is a bit of a trouble maker at the casinos and bars in Las Vegas, Nevada but there is a price on Chaaya’s head, and Basq must ensure that the woman that calls to his heart, is safe and remains alive. The lone $ex scene is intimate but barely touches the surface of a fated romance.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom have been introduced in previous instalments: vampire and owner of Dreamscapes Resort Chiron; gargoyle Levet; mer queen Inga; Prince of Imps Troy; were Brigitte; numerous mer people including Jord, Riza, Rimm; and Greta.

SHADES OF DARKNESS is a detailed story line that follows several intersecting and connected paths. As Levet sticks close to Brigette in an effort to ensure the darkness doesn’t escape, Chaaya continues her search for Brigette, determined to destroy the darkness within. The premise is engaging and captivating; characters are colorful and energetic; the romance struggles with a lack of emotion or any palpable sexual energy-there was no discernible chemistry or heat.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness
Sacrifice of Darkness/a>