Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 325pp
ISBN-13: 978-1402264344
ISBN: 1402264348
(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Purhcase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound
Tes Hilaire on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter
Excerpt from Deliver Me From Darkness
Synopsis:
A STRANGER IN THE NIGHT
He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladins. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa comes to his door.
She is light and bright and everything beautiful - despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. he may not have a soul, but he can't deny his heart.
Thoughts:
The first book in the Paladin Warriors series, Deliver Me From Darkness starts off with a bang. Author Tes Hilaire brings readers yet another vampire novel, but this one isn't your typical paranormal fare. It's the gray areas between good and evil that become the focus of this well plotted and exciting paranormal romance. Though Hilaire uses the tried and true soul mate theory in this novel, it becomes a little more complicated than usual since one part of the lead couple doesn't have a soul to begin with. An intriguing beginning to a new series!
As a paranormal romance fan, I realize that one any given day, a ton of new vampire novels come out. Fans are forced to make decisions on which of these books they will give a nod to. When given so many choices how does a reader know which books to read and which books to pass on? I have a simple acid test that works for me. I can generally tell after the first couple of pages whether the tone of the book works for me, whether the writing is tight enough or powerful enough to peak my interest, or whether the premise is imaginative or creative enough to potentially make me a fan of an author. Tes Hilaire's new book, Deliver Me From Darkness, had me from the first couple of paragraphs.
Roland is my favorite kind of hero, dark and brooding to some extent. He was once a Paladin warrior, a man of honor and integrity, a protector of mankind. But he lost all that when he was turned. Becoming a vampire has taken everything he loves away from him. His friends, his purpose, his soul and now he finally finds the woman he knows to be his mate, but it's too late... or is it? It is possible that not every vampire is inherently evil? Could it be that some part of Roland is still good? Hilaire makes it all seem possible with this character. He just gives off this aura of command and yet he is vulnerable to his bloodlust, to his sadness, to Karissa. A good character!
Karissa finds herself in quite the mess. She is only female Paladin left. What's girl to do when everybody wants her? Karissa was a good heroine, but she lacked a little of depth that Hilaire gives to Roland. She's a bit angsty and has that damsel in distress mentality, but I liked her just the same. She seemed to fit Roland well and understand her place in the Paladin world. The romance between them isn't a whirlwind love affair. It is slower to react and harder to justify. The intensity eventually ramps up and readers are treated to some really good moments with these two characters. I thought Hilaire spent just enough time on this aspect of the book to make it both tender and passionate.
As with any new series the first book has to be good. It has to draw the reader in not only to the story itself, but into the world at large. It has to show potential. It has to make the reader want to read more and I think Hilaire pulls that off with flying colors. Her world-building is solid and gives readers a lot to think about. Not everything is cut and dried. She sets up the next book, with some amazing secondary characters and leaves the reader really wishing the next book came out tomorrow. I liked this one a lot. Yep, it's another vampire novel, but it's too darn good to pass up!
Deliver Me From Darkness is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm givnig this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
2 comments:
Hi! This book sounds so good!!! When I read the blurb, I knew this one would be my kind of read! I put it on my wish list!!! I love dark and broody hero! Can't wait to get my hand on this book!
I loved this world of the Paladin and it will be interesting to watch them grow. Already they are having to accept things that they've always considered impossibilities...like vampires can be good people. It will be interesting to see where Tes Hilaire goes next with the series. Logan, the Paladin who defied his father and his orders to save Roland; Valin, the enigmatic Paladin who lost his mate and unborn child when Roland was turned, but who shows an incredible protective streak for Gabriella, another vampire who isn't bad. I cannot wait!
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