Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian Midnight Breed Series #11-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Released February 21, 2013

Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.

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Review:

Oh my sweet Jesus, where to start with this one. As the blurb above says, this one takes place twenty years after the world found out that, yes, vampires do exist. Usually, that kills a series for me. I mean, really?? Where is the fun in everyone knowing? The secret world is part of the lure, at least for me. So, I was truly prepared to not only dislike this book, but to hate it. We jump forward twenty years. Will the integrity of the base storyline be lost? Will the Order still be large and in charge? The last we saw of this bunch, there were children running around and babies being born, so how in the world can Adrian maintain any consistency by pulling such a bold move? Even Mira, the heroine of this book, was a child last we saw. Did I hate it? Um, no……I FREAKING LOVED IT!!

I do have to take the “blurb” above to task however. As far as Mira and the Order are concerned, Kellan didn’t disappear. He died in a fiery explosion right in front of Mira’s eyes. Granted, there was no body, but everyone thought he died that night twenty years ago. Imagine Mira’s shock when she finds herself kidnapped by rebels, only to discover that Kellan Archer is their leader. How many nights had she cried herself to sleep wishing it were all a bad dream? She had loved Kellan since they were children and to believe that he chose to leave her is almost worse than him dying. On the other hand, imagine Kellan’s shock when he sees the fair haired Mira being brought to their compound. But, the feelings they had for each other was a lifetime ago, right?

Adrian does a wonderful job with this story. The humans are still leery of the vampires and the vampires are just as leery of them. Lucan and the Order are determined to keep all of the races safe, and I love how their children play integral parts in figuring out just what is going on and what needs to happen. There is romance, fierce loyalty, political intrigue, betrayal and a revelation at the end that leaves you saying “why in the hell didn’t I see that coming?!?!”! I have been a fan of this series for a long time, and am so glad to see it continue. And, I for one, can’t wait for the next installment. Well played Lara Adrian……….Very well played!!!!!

Reviewed by Vickie M.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Lara Adrian has offered a paper copy of DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT and swag to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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