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The Guardians #8
Guardian Demon
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.
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.
576 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
19 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Meljean Brook
50 books2,569 followersBook info: I am the author of the Iron Seas steampunk romance series. I've written a guide to the world (including a map) on my website.
I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
I also write a paranormal romance series, the Guardians. That series guide is also on my website, including a "The Story So Far" feature, which allows you to catch up on all of the books that previously released in the series if you start after the first installment.
Goodreads info: I am slowly, slowly adding to my shelves and reviews. It's unlikely that I will join many book discussions (especially of my own work) simply because I don't want to stifle reader conversation.
Bio: Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.
Meljean lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.
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July 16, 2014
5 stars
Heck, yeah!!!!!!
THIS is what reading a book should feel like. This is why I love to read. I was made to think, then cried, laughed, feared and hoped, closed the book with a big smile on my face and a faint regret that there isn't more. I have waited for this book for so long, and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it. Doesn't it rock when a book fulfills and more, exceeds high expectations??? It doesn't happen often enough... So, the specifics...
The end of the Guardian era
And doesn't that hurt to write. This is the end. And I will miss these characters and world SO much, but... Okay, what I loved about this series wasn't a particular book (some I liked more, some less), it was the whole story, mythology that kept building up, getting more intricate with every book. this series isn't just a bunch of standalones about people who know each other. It's an incredible arc leading us to one moment, THIS moment of the battle for Hell, Heaven and Humankind.
And every single event, thread and puzzle piece from previous books fit seamlessly! Bravo, Ms. Brook! I have never read a PNR series more compact and with such a purpose behind everything. And the ending was perfect. On one hand, of course I want more books, on the other, yet again I say, this ending was PERFECT for every complex, unique character and in the spirit of all the books. So, while this book can be read as a standalone, I believe all the books in the series should be read to fully appreciate everything: including the miracle of Taylor and Michael.
Guardians, Angels, Demons, Vampires, Heaven, Caelum, Hell - Adieu. I'll miss you. *sniff*
The Story
If you haven't read the entire series, there are spoilers here!
The Frozen Field is gone. Michael's soul is freed and in the shape of a dragon. In the process of Taylor returning it to his body three things happen: she loses her faith in him and starts being afraid, falls into a two-year coma and a dissonance between Michael's soul and body is created. Meaning: he's dying, but still wants her so much. Wants her trust and acceptance. Andy's not that up for it, since she's had it with this Guardian stuff (she has seen and endured far too much) but they are forced together by the war about the erupt.
Lucifer wants to open the gate between chaos and Earth and bring forth his army and the dragons. To do that, he must defeat Belial's army in Hell, and find Dragon's blood, or someone holding on Earth. Disaster's just waiting to happen on two fronts and all Michael wants desperately is time. Time to fight. time to win. Time to love truly for the first time. Time to live.
“Perhaps you’re right,” he said softly. “Perhaps when I look at Andromeda in the heavens, I am more the man who wants to swoop in like a conquering hero and claim his prize, to own just a little bit of her. Because life will end far too soon, but the constellations will endure. And my only hope is to impress myself upon her, because if something I’ve said or done is forever stamped upon someone so beautiful and so endless, perhaps a part of me will endure, too.”
The Philosophy
So, I've always loved the idea of everything explained in these books and how it felt warmly spiritual without being uncomfortably religious. It's just right and Meljean Brook has a heck of an imagination. The purpose, characters and fates of demons, angels, Guardians and humans is something I can easily believe in. Here, there is one part where Michael and Taylor are talking about rewards and punishments and why bad thigs happen to good people and Michael says some great things...
“That we can’t know. Not because it is secret, but because it is unfathomable. The angels said the creator is all-knowing. I have seen more than most humans, but I know that if I lived a hundred thousand lifetimes, I could only scratch the surface of what there is to know in this world—and that doesn’t include the billions of people who’ve lived in it. So if there is such a being who can know everyone’s heart and mind, who knows their past and maybe their future, who sees their souls cross through realms, I don’t know how we can possibly conceive of how it thinks or sees, or how it perceives life and death or pain, and we can’t know its purpose. So instead we try to fit it into things we do understand. Punishment, rewards.”
==========
"But when you ask me if there’s purpose or meaning, why these things are allowed to happen, you’re talking about punishment from another source. But it can’t be both. If what happened to is a punishment or a reward, dictated for some other reason, then it means no one is making choices. It means that he died not because four humans decided to stab him, but because something else made them do it. If these things happen for another reason or in service of another purpose, then free will would have no meaning. There would be no reason for Hell, because no one would truly make any choices—so why would they be held responsible for them? Yet free will and life are the two things we protect more than any other. So they must be important.”
==========
"And while we are living, we receive no punishment but what we put on each other or that we make for ourselves.”
Tell me that doesn't make more sense than most theories. I really like it, because it makes sense. And, oh, I love Michael. Speaking of.
My, my, my, my Michael
Can you guess how I felt about Michael? Yep. LOVED him. OK, he was basically the big, wise leader all these books, so one had a certain...image of him as the closest thing to an angel we'll see. He's not. The opposite, in a way. he wasn't born good or compassionate, he became like that with time and every single time he's overcoming a big part of his nature. that just makes him more in my opinion. He's lived through so many lifetimes, yet seeing him laugh and enjoy, love and fear, make mistakes and try to fix them... I can't even explain all the facets of him. He's wonderfully three dimensional and incredible. He's moving up to one of my fav heroes.
And I love the way he loves Taylor aka Andromeda. He loved her from a while ago, but now he's starting to fall in love with her. And it is amazing.
I wanted to highlight every thing he said, but I refrained, kinda.
“There are too many colors in your hair to name now, but the most prominent shade resembles the orange within the dancing flames of a gingko wood fire. It is interwoven with the same red as the volcanic stone on the cliffs of Lanzarote.” What? She opened her mouth to stop him, but he was already continuing. “When your eyes are closed and the sun is directly overhead, your lashes shadow the uppermost freckle on your right cheekbone, and forty-six more are sprinkled across your cheeks and nose. The seam of your lips is the same length as your smallest finger. In your bare feet, you stand as tall as the point of my shoulder. When I place my hand on your lower back and the tips of my fingers are in the curve of your waist, the width of my palm spans three vertebrae. When you are calm, you inhale every eight seconds and your heart beats every two seconds. But both are faster now.”
==========
"But no matter the composition of her body, he would always know her by her scent, the rhythm of her breath. Her stance. Her smile and her laugh. Her psychic melody, unlike anyone else’s."
==========
“You fascinate me. There’s so much about you to know, and you’re so often a surprise. And after learning more of you, I can point to what I like so well. Your anger, your need for justice. I knew those first. But I’ve also learned that when you are struck by powerful emotions, you blow up, then step back to consider and examine. I know that you will do what you think right, even at great personal cost and despite your own wishes—even if a dragon has you pinned against a stone. Why did you appeal to me? I could give thousands of reasons that I have learned from watching you, and other reasons why you appeal to me more now than when I met you. But I could not put every reason into words. You simply do, because you are you.”
==========
Andromeda Taylor
I loved Andy. I know it isn't surprising, but I felt almost as much for her as for Michael. She's strong, funny (on the dry, sarcastic side) and somehow always manages to start again. She's just so full of life and reading about her is great. Andy's just great at balancing his solemnity and Wise Old Man aura. Again, Meljean Brook is great at creating complex, appealing character you just want to be close with and know more about.
And most especially, I loved them together. they just work, so, so, so well. I believe in their love completely and without reservation. It was intense, painful, passionate, yet light at moments, too. I just can't explain it differently. I'll stop talking now.
Andy's declaration of love
“And falling in love with you makes absolute sense to me. Far more sense than you falling in love with me. You have seen what I am.”
“And I’ve seen what you’ve become. That alone would have done it.” Though that wasn’t all that had made her fall for him. She bit her lip. “But, okay. Aside from all of the physical gorgeousness, it was your feet.”
“What?”
“Your feet. Because you had one purpose, were dedicated to one thing—saving us all from demons. But it was also like you were trying not to be so scary to all of us human weenies. So you had your toga and your monk clothes. But I knew what you were. So instead of being not scary, your feet were shouting, ‘You all can have your guns and your leather boots. I don’t even give a shit. I’m going to kick demon ass so hard they’re going to taste my bare toes, motherfuckers.’”
His big body shook against hers, his harmonious laugh reverberating through her skin. “I can tell you honestly, Andromeda—I have never heard that before.”
“Well, it was really sexy. Even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself. And your feet were big. So, you know.”
His grin was wicked. “I know.”
And moments I loved...
Back at her side, he found Andromeda holding her phone and laughing uncontrollably. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “‘BRB’? Did you really send that?”
“Yes,” he said. “And I was.”
That set her off again. He considered sending a smiley face, but decided to save it for a later time. She might need another reason to laugh soon.
==========
When she dropped to the ground, she saw that Michael had joined the Guardians again. He faced the wall with his sword in one hand . . . his phone in the other. A moment later, his message popped up on her screen. No words. Just a small, round face.
:)
So, finally, I'll just say: read it! Read the whole sweeping adventure. Meet Lilith and Hugh and Savi and Jake and Sir Pup and Michael and... I'll love them all forever. So, yes, this book is a favorite, but so is the whole series. Damn, even when it's right, it's hard to say goodbye.
ETA There were only a few minor problems, but it is only fair to add them, too. One, the beginning of the book is a bit slower and two, if you haven't read the previous books (or had forgotten some bits, like me) it might be a bit difficult to catch on for a little while. My problem was trying to remember EXACTLY what happened with Michael and Anaria and Lilith's bargain and the nephilim in the previous books, even though there was just enough to understand and carry on here. Vague is the word of the hour. Later, it's all easier and I just let it go :)
Heck, yeah!!!!!!
THIS is what reading a book should feel like. This is why I love to read. I was made to think, then cried, laughed, feared and hoped, closed the book with a big smile on my face and a faint regret that there isn't more. I have waited for this book for so long, and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it. Doesn't it rock when a book fulfills and more, exceeds high expectations??? It doesn't happen often enough... So, the specifics...
The end of the Guardian era
And doesn't that hurt to write. This is the end. And I will miss these characters and world SO much, but... Okay, what I loved about this series wasn't a particular book (some I liked more, some less), it was the whole story, mythology that kept building up, getting more intricate with every book. this series isn't just a bunch of standalones about people who know each other. It's an incredible arc leading us to one moment, THIS moment of the battle for Hell, Heaven and Humankind.
And every single event, thread and puzzle piece from previous books fit seamlessly! Bravo, Ms. Brook! I have never read a PNR series more compact and with such a purpose behind everything. And the ending was perfect. On one hand, of course I want more books, on the other, yet again I say, this ending was PERFECT for every complex, unique character and in the spirit of all the books. So, while this book can be read as a standalone, I believe all the books in the series should be read to fully appreciate everything: including the miracle of Taylor and Michael.
Guardians, Angels, Demons, Vampires, Heaven, Caelum, Hell - Adieu. I'll miss you. *sniff*
The Story
If you haven't read the entire series, there are spoilers here!
The Frozen Field is gone. Michael's soul is freed and in the shape of a dragon. In the process of Taylor returning it to his body three things happen: she loses her faith in him and starts being afraid, falls into a two-year coma and a dissonance between Michael's soul and body is created. Meaning: he's dying, but still wants her so much. Wants her trust and acceptance. Andy's not that up for it, since she's had it with this Guardian stuff (she has seen and endured far too much) but they are forced together by the war about the erupt.
Lucifer wants to open the gate between chaos and Earth and bring forth his army and the dragons. To do that, he must defeat Belial's army in Hell, and find Dragon's blood, or someone holding on Earth. Disaster's just waiting to happen on two fronts and all Michael wants desperately is time. Time to fight. time to win. Time to love truly for the first time. Time to live.
“Perhaps you’re right,” he said softly. “Perhaps when I look at Andromeda in the heavens, I am more the man who wants to swoop in like a conquering hero and claim his prize, to own just a little bit of her. Because life will end far too soon, but the constellations will endure. And my only hope is to impress myself upon her, because if something I’ve said or done is forever stamped upon someone so beautiful and so endless, perhaps a part of me will endure, too.”
The Philosophy
So, I've always loved the idea of everything explained in these books and how it felt warmly spiritual without being uncomfortably religious. It's just right and Meljean Brook has a heck of an imagination. The purpose, characters and fates of demons, angels, Guardians and humans is something I can easily believe in. Here, there is one part where Michael and Taylor are talking about rewards and punishments and why bad thigs happen to good people and Michael says some great things...
“That we can’t know. Not because it is secret, but because it is unfathomable. The angels said the creator is all-knowing. I have seen more than most humans, but I know that if I lived a hundred thousand lifetimes, I could only scratch the surface of what there is to know in this world—and that doesn’t include the billions of people who’ve lived in it. So if there is such a being who can know everyone’s heart and mind, who knows their past and maybe their future, who sees their souls cross through realms, I don’t know how we can possibly conceive of how it thinks or sees, or how it perceives life and death or pain, and we can’t know its purpose. So instead we try to fit it into things we do understand. Punishment, rewards.”
==========
"But when you ask me if there’s purpose or meaning, why these things are allowed to happen, you’re talking about punishment from another source. But it can’t be both. If what happened to is a punishment or a reward, dictated for some other reason, then it means no one is making choices. It means that he died not because four humans decided to stab him, but because something else made them do it. If these things happen for another reason or in service of another purpose, then free will would have no meaning. There would be no reason for Hell, because no one would truly make any choices—so why would they be held responsible for them? Yet free will and life are the two things we protect more than any other. So they must be important.”
==========
"And while we are living, we receive no punishment but what we put on each other or that we make for ourselves.”
Tell me that doesn't make more sense than most theories. I really like it, because it makes sense. And, oh, I love Michael. Speaking of.
My, my, my, my Michael
Can you guess how I felt about Michael? Yep. LOVED him. OK, he was basically the big, wise leader all these books, so one had a certain...image of him as the closest thing to an angel we'll see. He's not. The opposite, in a way. he wasn't born good or compassionate, he became like that with time and every single time he's overcoming a big part of his nature. that just makes him more in my opinion. He's lived through so many lifetimes, yet seeing him laugh and enjoy, love and fear, make mistakes and try to fix them... I can't even explain all the facets of him. He's wonderfully three dimensional and incredible. He's moving up to one of my fav heroes.
And I love the way he loves Taylor aka Andromeda. He loved her from a while ago, but now he's starting to fall in love with her. And it is amazing.
I wanted to highlight every thing he said, but I refrained, kinda.
“There are too many colors in your hair to name now, but the most prominent shade resembles the orange within the dancing flames of a gingko wood fire. It is interwoven with the same red as the volcanic stone on the cliffs of Lanzarote.” What? She opened her mouth to stop him, but he was already continuing. “When your eyes are closed and the sun is directly overhead, your lashes shadow the uppermost freckle on your right cheekbone, and forty-six more are sprinkled across your cheeks and nose. The seam of your lips is the same length as your smallest finger. In your bare feet, you stand as tall as the point of my shoulder. When I place my hand on your lower back and the tips of my fingers are in the curve of your waist, the width of my palm spans three vertebrae. When you are calm, you inhale every eight seconds and your heart beats every two seconds. But both are faster now.”
==========
"But no matter the composition of her body, he would always know her by her scent, the rhythm of her breath. Her stance. Her smile and her laugh. Her psychic melody, unlike anyone else’s."
==========
“You fascinate me. There’s so much about you to know, and you’re so often a surprise. And after learning more of you, I can point to what I like so well. Your anger, your need for justice. I knew those first. But I’ve also learned that when you are struck by powerful emotions, you blow up, then step back to consider and examine. I know that you will do what you think right, even at great personal cost and despite your own wishes—even if a dragon has you pinned against a stone. Why did you appeal to me? I could give thousands of reasons that I have learned from watching you, and other reasons why you appeal to me more now than when I met you. But I could not put every reason into words. You simply do, because you are you.”
==========
Andromeda Taylor
I loved Andy. I know it isn't surprising, but I felt almost as much for her as for Michael. She's strong, funny (on the dry, sarcastic side) and somehow always manages to start again. She's just so full of life and reading about her is great. Andy's just great at balancing his solemnity and Wise Old Man aura. Again, Meljean Brook is great at creating complex, appealing character you just want to be close with and know more about.
And most especially, I loved them together. they just work, so, so, so well. I believe in their love completely and without reservation. It was intense, painful, passionate, yet light at moments, too. I just can't explain it differently. I'll stop talking now.
Andy's declaration of love
“And falling in love with you makes absolute sense to me. Far more sense than you falling in love with me. You have seen what I am.”
“And I’ve seen what you’ve become. That alone would have done it.” Though that wasn’t all that had made her fall for him. She bit her lip. “But, okay. Aside from all of the physical gorgeousness, it was your feet.”
“What?”
“Your feet. Because you had one purpose, were dedicated to one thing—saving us all from demons. But it was also like you were trying not to be so scary to all of us human weenies. So you had your toga and your monk clothes. But I knew what you were. So instead of being not scary, your feet were shouting, ‘You all can have your guns and your leather boots. I don’t even give a shit. I’m going to kick demon ass so hard they’re going to taste my bare toes, motherfuckers.’”
His big body shook against hers, his harmonious laugh reverberating through her skin. “I can tell you honestly, Andromeda—I have never heard that before.”
“Well, it was really sexy. Even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself. And your feet were big. So, you know.”
His grin was wicked. “I know.”
And moments I loved...
Back at her side, he found Andromeda holding her phone and laughing uncontrollably. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “‘BRB’? Did you really send that?”
“Yes,” he said. “And I was.”
That set her off again. He considered sending a smiley face, but decided to save it for a later time. She might need another reason to laugh soon.
==========
When she dropped to the ground, she saw that Michael had joined the Guardians again. He faced the wall with his sword in one hand . . . his phone in the other. A moment later, his message popped up on her screen. No words. Just a small, round face.
:)
So, finally, I'll just say: read it! Read the whole sweeping adventure. Meet Lilith and Hugh and Savi and Jake and Sir Pup and Michael and... I'll love them all forever. So, yes, this book is a favorite, but so is the whole series. Damn, even when it's right, it's hard to say goodbye.
ETA There were only a few minor problems, but it is only fair to add them, too. One, the beginning of the book is a bit slower and two, if you haven't read the previous books (or had forgotten some bits, like me) it might be a bit difficult to catch on for a little while. My problem was trying to remember EXACTLY what happened with Michael and Anaria and Lilith's bargain and the nephilim in the previous books, even though there was just enough to understand and carry on here. Vague is the word of the hour. Later, it's all easier and I just let it go :)
October 13, 2022
Michael and Andromeda Taylor: the ship to end all ships. Possibly the best romance I’ve read in my entire life. The word count is nearly 200K and I could’ve read triple that. Meljean, you didn’t have to go so hard for Michael’s book BUT YOU DID. One million stars.
Now I’m off to cry because the Guardians series is over and my existence is empty from this point onwards.
Now I’m off to cry because the Guardians series is over and my existence is empty from this point onwards.
June 24, 2018
So, no one wanted my firstborn, or any amout of whatthefuckyoucanchose and I actually had to wait till now to read it. For future reference: This is incredibly evil behaviour, and can you not?
Amazon wouldn't send me the paperback in time, so now I also spent another five bucks on the ebook to read GD on its publication date. (The PB should arrive tomorrow or the day after that.)
And yeah, if you're looking for a good review, look somewhere else, because I'm emotionally constipated and get obnoxious when talking about books that were as brilliant as GD was. Because it really was one of the best novels I've read in the history of ever.
It's obvious why you'd love Taylor. She's an amazing character. But fuck you, you won't believe how amazing Michael was. It's sad that I have to say this about one of my favourite genre, but PNR heroes tend to be a little one-dimensional. Very straight-forward, tortured, but overall with an inheritedly good heart. Michael was better than them.
tldr; And you cry and you cry and your tears are the perfection that was Guardian Demon.
February 20, 2015
As a fun FYI, if you want to do a quick brush up on the series before reading Guardian Demon, Brook is doing a retrospective on her blog and giving readers a peek into the 'making' of the Guardians and pointing of elements in each book which are key to this story...
Guardian Demon, exceeded my expectations for Michael’s story while providing some chuckles (two words, “house porn”), some tears, and some intensely steamy moments, and left me happy with the wrap-up for the series, sad to see it ending, and (like another reviewer) made me want to go back and reread the previous books – well at very least Michael’s parts.
As much as I’d love to gush about the specific details of ‘why’ Guardian Demon was the book we’ve all been waiting for, since this is the final step of a long journey for fans of Meljean Brook’s Guardian series, am going to limit myself to a few reactions instead in order to avoid spoilers, because fans who have made that journey have earned the right to experience the ‘big finish’ for this series for themselves.
Paranormal romance series often have that one hero-in-waiting whose happily ever after is the one that fans have been waiting for since day one, but after all of the anticipation I am rarely satisfied with that character once he is in the lead and is no longer enigmatic, because in making that hero accessible to his heroine he often ends up ‘less’ than he’s been throughout the course of the whole series – that is absolutely not the case with Michael in Guardian Demon.
Even in seeing what makes Michael tick, with thousands of years of life under his belt, and a beginning and an inner core that are definitely not typical or human ones, the Michael we see here is not less than the Michael in the rest of the series, he is vastly ‘more’. With that vastness, it might not seem that any formerly human heroine, without an equal number of centuries under her belt, could ever be a suitable match for him, but Taylor turns out to have the strength, intelligence, and damaged complexity to make me believe that she would be someone who could keep Michael’s interest for a happily eternal ever after.
Okay, my inner romance reader loved the character discovery and relationship buildup between the leads that has been a hallmark of the Guardians series, and I am very hero-centric in my reading and Michael is so intense that I just had to mention him first, but Guardian Demon is the culmination of a very well planned out arc that is woven through the eight full length books (and to a lesser extent the five short stories) and wraps up here in a suitably epic conclusion for a series that has been leading up to a showdown between the Guardians’ forces of good and Lucifer’s (and Beliel’s) demonic forces of evil.
About midway in Guardian Demon, heading into the final build up to the climax of the personal and series arc conflicts I had an inkling of how of they might be resolved … and I was totally wrong. I loved that and I loved that the battle for Earth at the end was truly a battle and that it was one that employed a desperate plan that required all of the Guardians, Kavi, and both Michael and Taylor.
As a series finale - so final bows are needed - there are enough bit parts in the drama to allow the majority of the past leads, and to a lesser extent the supporting characters, from the previous books and novellas to put in at least a short appearance and often to play a significant role and to add to my tension and worry - since with demons pulling the strings in the background plot, casualties are always a possibility and I was terrified that some of my favorite characters might end up being part of the body count.
It feels weird to be done with a series that I've been following for sooooo long (since 2006, I think...) Oh but wait, this is not actually last we will see of the Guardians’ world, since Guardian Demon was so long – the print version is somewhere in the vicinity of 570 pages – Brook cut out a subplot and will be releasing that story after the release of Guardian Demon. That story runs concurrent with parts of GD, but it should be read after to avoid spoilers for GD.
(ARC received from author - I wasn't paid for my review and my opinions are my own. I also purchase an addition copy for my keeper shelf.)
Guardian Demon, exceeded my expectations for Michael’s story while providing some chuckles (two words, “house porn”), some tears, and some intensely steamy moments, and left me happy with the wrap-up for the series, sad to see it ending, and (like another reviewer) made me want to go back and reread the previous books – well at very least Michael’s parts.
As much as I’d love to gush about the specific details of ‘why’ Guardian Demon was the book we’ve all been waiting for, since this is the final step of a long journey for fans of Meljean Brook’s Guardian series, am going to limit myself to a few reactions instead in order to avoid spoilers, because fans who have made that journey have earned the right to experience the ‘big finish’ for this series for themselves.
Paranormal romance series often have that one hero-in-waiting whose happily ever after is the one that fans have been waiting for since day one, but after all of the anticipation I am rarely satisfied with that character once he is in the lead and is no longer enigmatic, because in making that hero accessible to his heroine he often ends up ‘less’ than he’s been throughout the course of the whole series – that is absolutely not the case with Michael in Guardian Demon.
Even in seeing what makes Michael tick, with thousands of years of life under his belt, and a beginning and an inner core that are definitely not typical or human ones, the Michael we see here is not less than the Michael in the rest of the series, he is vastly ‘more’. With that vastness, it might not seem that any formerly human heroine, without an equal number of centuries under her belt, could ever be a suitable match for him, but Taylor turns out to have the strength, intelligence, and damaged complexity to make me believe that she would be someone who could keep Michael’s interest for a happily eternal ever after.
Okay, my inner romance reader loved the character discovery and relationship buildup between the leads that has been a hallmark of the Guardians series, and I am very hero-centric in my reading and Michael is so intense that I just had to mention him first, but Guardian Demon is the culmination of a very well planned out arc that is woven through the eight full length books (and to a lesser extent the five short stories) and wraps up here in a suitably epic conclusion for a series that has been leading up to a showdown between the Guardians’ forces of good and Lucifer’s (and Beliel’s) demonic forces of evil.
About midway in Guardian Demon, heading into the final build up to the climax of the personal and series arc conflicts I had an inkling of how of they might be resolved … and I was totally wrong. I loved that and I loved that the battle for Earth at the end was truly a battle and that it was one that employed a desperate plan that required all of the Guardians, Kavi, and both Michael and Taylor.
As a series finale - so final bows are needed - there are enough bit parts in the drama to allow the majority of the past leads, and to a lesser extent the supporting characters, from the previous books and novellas to put in at least a short appearance and often to play a significant role and to add to my tension and worry - since with demons pulling the strings in the background plot, casualties are always a possibility and I was terrified that some of my favorite characters might end up being part of the body count.
It feels weird to be done with a series that I've been following for sooooo long (since 2006, I think...) Oh but wait, this is not actually last we will see of the Guardians’ world, since Guardian Demon was so long – the print version is somewhere in the vicinity of 570 pages – Brook cut out a subplot and will be releasing that story after the release of Guardian Demon. That story runs concurrent with parts of GD, but it should be read after to avoid spoilers for GD.
(ARC received from author - I wasn't paid for my review and my opinions are my own. I also purchase an addition copy for my keeper shelf.)
October 11, 2011
Bittersweet ending. I bow down, as always, to Meljean's writing. This may be the longest written book of the series at 200,000 words, but it didn't feel like it. Michael and Taylor were perfect together and I loved seeing the whole gang. Sir Pup has a lot of page time. Go Sir Pup!
A wonderful ending to a series that pushed me into reading more paranormal and supernatural romance. I still remember the day I picked up Demon Angel at Borders. I read the first chapter and was floored by the writing and of Hugh and Lilith, and of the Guardians and of Michael who stole my heart from the first page he appeared. I'm so glad I took a chance on a new to me author all those years ago. Meljean's writing has enriched my reading experience in so many ways.
I will always have a fan girl crush on Michael. So happy he has his HEA finally.
A wonderful ending to a series that pushed me into reading more paranormal and supernatural romance. I still remember the day I picked up Demon Angel at Borders. I read the first chapter and was floored by the writing and of Hugh and Lilith, and of the Guardians and of Michael who stole my heart from the first page he appeared. I'm so glad I took a chance on a new to me author all those years ago. Meljean's writing has enriched my reading experience in so many ways.
I will always have a fan girl crush on Michael. So happy he has his HEA finally.
August 18, 2013
I cannot give this book less than 5 stars. And I would even give it 6 or 7 or 10 if I could. It was epic, well-crafted and just....too awesome for words.
I usually do not like it when ancient heroes are paired with modern, 20-something heroines but damn if Meljean Brook doesn't make it work. I am now convinced that woman can write anything and I'll go along with it.
I read this on my Kindle and didn't mark any pages so I can only paraphrase, but one of the best passages was when Michael was trying to explain why he loved Taylor. Because, yeah, Taylor is awesome, no denying that, but Michael is 8 000 years old and he's seen a lot of awesome women in his long life. So an author has a tough job there, trying to convince the reader that the pairing is the OTP to end all OTPs. So when he basically says that, for him, it was Taylor and no one else because she resonated with him, I bought it. It's both a simple and a very complex reason.
If I had to nit-pick though... I think I would have preferred to see Michael and Taylor's love story playing out over a longer period of time and not see them always having to find a minute or two between investigations and battles. Something a bit like what we had with Hugh and Lilith.
But it is just a nit-pick. The story was awesome and powerful as is and I can't wait to re-read the whole series now that I know how it all ends and what Michael is made of.
So, unlimited number of stars for this book and its author who writes complex, meaty stories and who has the guts to end her series when they have run their course.
*************
~ Written before release ~
* wants *
* wants so bad *
Why isn't it August yet?
This is my most anticipated book for 2013.
August 25, 2013
Epic finale to a beloved series. Finally we see Michael, the Doyen, part-dragon and part-demon, leader of the Guardians and all round hero, find his HEA with feisty police detective Taylor.
This series is set against a battle between the Guardians (protectors of humans) and Lucifer and his minions. The heroes of these books are everything a hero should be - courageous, noble and self-sacrificing. No alpha posturing here. These are real men and women who overcome enormous obstacles, learn the meaning of right and wrong, find true love and save the world.
This story has plenty of heart-stopping action and a few LOL moments. And the romance is beautiful with some outstandingly hot sex scenes. All of the past characters are involved in the story and feature heavily in the final battles. There are some sad moments and a few miraculous ones too.
The journey to this final story has been amazing and is a real credit to the imagination and dedication of the author. Two of my all-time favourite paranormal romance couples are the stars of book 4 (the exuberant loyal soldier Jake, and the schoolmarm-y, spiderish Alice) and book 3 (broken vulnerable Charlie, and Drifter, a Guardian who epitomises every strong silent cowboy you've ever seen on the big screen). Of course I can't forget Hugh and Lilith and Colin and Savi. Reading this book has made me very nostalgic for all these characters and I want to re-read the whole series all over again.
And finally I just wanted to say that like many readers I have made snarky remarks about authors who don't know when to end their series and keep writing books forever. This came back to haunt me today. I got the the end and just cried, "Noooooooo!". "It's not fair!'. "I can't let go of these people".
But honestly this series has ended perfectly and while it and its fans are still on a high.
This series is set against a battle between the Guardians (protectors of humans) and Lucifer and his minions. The heroes of these books are everything a hero should be - courageous, noble and self-sacrificing. No alpha posturing here. These are real men and women who overcome enormous obstacles, learn the meaning of right and wrong, find true love and save the world.
This story has plenty of heart-stopping action and a few LOL moments. And the romance is beautiful with some outstandingly hot sex scenes. All of the past characters are involved in the story and feature heavily in the final battles. There are some sad moments and a few miraculous ones too.
The journey to this final story has been amazing and is a real credit to the imagination and dedication of the author. Two of my all-time favourite paranormal romance couples are the stars of book 4 (the exuberant loyal soldier Jake, and the schoolmarm-y, spiderish Alice) and book 3 (broken vulnerable Charlie, and Drifter, a Guardian who epitomises every strong silent cowboy you've ever seen on the big screen). Of course I can't forget Hugh and Lilith and Colin and Savi. Reading this book has made me very nostalgic for all these characters and I want to re-read the whole series all over again.
And finally I just wanted to say that like many readers I have made snarky remarks about authors who don't know when to end their series and keep writing books forever. This came back to haunt me today. I got the the end and just cried, "Noooooooo!". "It's not fair!'. "I can't let go of these people".
But honestly this series has ended perfectly and while it and its fans are still on a high.
August 14, 2013
4* rating coz I felt the story was a bit on the longer side... What can I say, I'm a fickle-minded girl.. Too long stories need a LOT of concentration!!! ;) :D
Such a lovely end to this wonderful series by Ms. Brook... :) I'm soooooo happy to finally see Michael get a story of his own... :) I was so engrossed in his love-life that I kinda overlooked(flipped pages *wink wink*)the fate-of-the-world scenario!!! LOLLL... I wanted to concentrate on just Michael & Taylor... :D :D Gotta re-read this series again somewhere down the lane...
After finishing this story, I can gladly say that it's one of the best PNR series' that I've ever read... :) :) Love ya Ms. Brooke, for this amazing series... :D
Such a lovely end to this wonderful series by Ms. Brook... :) I'm soooooo happy to finally see Michael get a story of his own... :) I was so engrossed in his love-life that I kinda overlooked(flipped pages *wink wink*)the fate-of-the-world scenario!!! LOLLL... I wanted to concentrate on just Michael & Taylor... :D :D Gotta re-read this series again somewhere down the lane...
After finishing this story, I can gladly say that it's one of the best PNR series' that I've ever read... :) :) Love ya Ms. Brooke, for this amazing series... :D
April 13, 2013
I.
Can't.
Even.
*weeps and sobs and cries everywhere*
brb, rereading all the books from the start.
Can't.
Even.
*weeps and sobs and cries everywhere*
brb, rereading all the books from the start.
July 31, 2013
While I have fallen in love with various aspects of The Guardian series over the years, there have been two dominant threads plucked in the background, piquing my curiosity and humming along behind the humor, the violence, and the happily-ever-afters of every other book. This ever building anticipation culminates in GUARDIAN DEMON, where Brook delivers both the final conflict with Lucifer and Michael’s romance. These two elements deliver engrossing action and off the charts romance, making GUARDIAN DEMON one of the most satisfying series finales I’ve ever read.
Part of this satisfaction is derived from the build up. Brook has crafted a long, sweet road to this final conflict. The battle with Lucifer has always been on an epic scale, spanning millennia and every possible attack, from crafty betrayals to full frontal force. This book brings all of those different political fronts to a head, and the lynchpin is once again Michael. Leader of the Guardians, the Alpha hero to end all Alpha heroes, and by this point in the story, battered, broken, and barely hanging on. Michael’s vulnerabilities make it believable once the inscrutable, all-powerful shield comes down, when we get to see the raging mass of power and emotion underneath his holy warrior shell. But this chink in his armor does not make him any less alien. Rather, Brook does a fantastic job imagining how the love affair of an immortal, magical being might progress. And the sex scenes, oh my sweet heavens, the sex scenes. As interesting as Michael’s emotional landscape may be, I must admit even that was overpowered by the reality of a shape-shifting, super-sonic teleporter in bed. Michael is everything I could have hoped for, everything I was anticipating, and once I got a taste of him I couldn’t get enough.
In fact, my only complaint about this book could be that I was so engrossed in the romance I often lost patience with the “battle for the fate of the world” side of the plot. The action was very well paced, and gave Taylor and Michael’s romance both a believable foundation and room to breath, but every time the hero and heroine left the page (or paid attention to anyone other than each other), I was just biding my time, waiting for our smoldering hero to come back.
Brook made me laugh out loud, fan myself, devour GUARDIAN DEMON in one sitting, and then wish there were more… It’s always hard to say goodbye to a series, but it’s also hard to imagine any Guardians book could ever be better than this one.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
Part of this satisfaction is derived from the build up. Brook has crafted a long, sweet road to this final conflict. The battle with Lucifer has always been on an epic scale, spanning millennia and every possible attack, from crafty betrayals to full frontal force. This book brings all of those different political fronts to a head, and the lynchpin is once again Michael. Leader of the Guardians, the Alpha hero to end all Alpha heroes, and by this point in the story, battered, broken, and barely hanging on. Michael’s vulnerabilities make it believable once the inscrutable, all-powerful shield comes down, when we get to see the raging mass of power and emotion underneath his holy warrior shell. But this chink in his armor does not make him any less alien. Rather, Brook does a fantastic job imagining how the love affair of an immortal, magical being might progress. And the sex scenes, oh my sweet heavens, the sex scenes. As interesting as Michael’s emotional landscape may be, I must admit even that was overpowered by the reality of a shape-shifting, super-sonic teleporter in bed. Michael is everything I could have hoped for, everything I was anticipating, and once I got a taste of him I couldn’t get enough.
In fact, my only complaint about this book could be that I was so engrossed in the romance I often lost patience with the “battle for the fate of the world” side of the plot. The action was very well paced, and gave Taylor and Michael’s romance both a believable foundation and room to breath, but every time the hero and heroine left the page (or paid attention to anyone other than each other), I was just biding my time, waiting for our smoldering hero to come back.
Brook made me laugh out loud, fan myself, devour GUARDIAN DEMON in one sitting, and then wish there were more… It’s always hard to say goodbye to a series, but it’s also hard to imagine any Guardians book could ever be better than this one.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
February 4, 2014
Wow this was a fantastic end to this series! It was by far the very best. There was so much action and sexual tension. There were so many questions and there were all answered. Michael was divine. I would totally take him off of Andy's hands any day. This series lost a really good character and I was bummed. In fact that certain scene and the one following it made me choke up... I am sad to see this series end, but maybe there will be a spin off. Bravo MB!
August 7, 2013
Note: I had to modify the review to fit Goodreads, so I recommend reading this one on my my blog because the original format is much better.
Warning: minor spoilers for previous books.
As you guys know (because I keep telling you), this is my favorite series, and the final book, Guardian Demon, was one of my most anticipated book of, well, ever. So it's a bittersweet moment for me, because as much as I enjoyed the book, saying goodbye to a beloved series is never easy. The good news is that I read the book in May, so I’ve had time to get over the book hangover, and this review won’t be a blubbering mess.
The blurb mentions a "terrifying encounter in Hell", and it's quite right. What Michael does to Taylor is almost unforgivably bad, but also serves as a way to bring down and humanize a guy who wouldn't have worked as a hero otherwise. And of course, other than figuring out how to be together (or if Taylor wants to be with Michael), they also have to deal with… stuff.
Man, I’m getting really good at summarizing plots.
The reason why I’m hesitant to say more about the story is because the book almost reads like a suspense novel, even if the rules of the genre guarantee a happy ending. But even knowing things will eventually resolve, there’s a feeling of incertitude and fear for the characters’ fate that permeates the whole reading experience, and I don’t want to rob someone of the whole experience by inadvertently giving away a minor detail or spoiler. So I’ll just say that there is a lot going, but everything that happens feeds the relationship between the characters at the core of the story. And that we get to see old friends in important roles that don’t feel like intrusive fan service.
When a book is surrounded by so much love and expectations, there’s always the possibility that it will disappoint those who spent years feeding said love. Add to that a hero whose heroic qualities are dubious not because he’s morally corrupt, but because he’s perfect to the point of unattainable, we get a recipe for possible disaster. But as I said, the first thing that happens is that Michael stops being perfect, not only to us, but to Taylor. And so, not only does the love story become possible, but we almost become active participants in Taylor’s journey. The end result is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the series.
As much as I was intrigued by Michael, Taylor was the one I really cared about. I’ve liked her since I first met her all those books ago, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her even before I knew she would be the final heroine. She’s always been an outsider who was forced to share the world with angels, demons and vampires, but who never felt comfortable or even accepted them. She’s a complex woman filled with strengths and very much aware of her vulnerabilities. She’s also torn between what’s right and what she wants to do, which is her main journey in this book, even taking preference over the impossible romance. The story is about her as an individual as much as it is about them as a couple.
On the other hand, Michael took some getting used to. Ms. Brook’s brand of alpha male is different from what Paranormal Romance has us used to. These guys are strong leaders who take action, but they are not overbearing or abusive. However, Michael is really, really old and really, really powerful, something that complicates things. I was surprised by how believable his otherness was. It’s so easy to turn a character like that into a joke, but there’s nothing particularly laughable or exaggerated about him. It’s so well done that it made it hard for me to find something about him that read human or relatable; a problem I shared with Taylor. The problem gets slowly resolved once she begins to see him under a different light, so his transformation actually takes place within her.
Guardian Demon was perfect for me, but it is not a perfect book. There is a lot going on in the story, and some parts felt rushed while others felt slow, so the pacing was uneven, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some readers found it boring, especially those unfamiliar with the series or not as emotionally invested as long-time fans. Certain resolutions happen too conveniently, and although there’s some clever foreshadowing that makes said convenience seem clever and surprising, I thought it was more about creating a problem impossible to solve without the use of certain elements that looked a lot like deus ex machina. But these are things easy to ignore with such an engrossing and riveting story, and considering everything the book accomplishes, they are nothing but minor issues.
The review is already way too long, so I should warp things up, but I can’t leave without saying just how happy the book made me. I realize this review is even more subjective than usual, so you should take it with a bigger grain of salt, but the best endorsement I can give Guardian Demon is that I’m an unabashed fan of the series, I’ve been dying with the anticipation to read the book, and I can honestly say that this is the conclusion such a wonderful series deserves. If you’re new to the books, go back and read them in order.
Source: A review copy was provided by the author.
Warning: minor spoilers for previous books.
As you guys know (because I keep telling you), this is my favorite series, and the final book, Guardian Demon, was one of my most anticipated book of, well, ever. So it's a bittersweet moment for me, because as much as I enjoyed the book, saying goodbye to a beloved series is never easy. The good news is that I read the book in May, so I’ve had time to get over the book hangover, and this review won’t be a blubbering mess.
The blurb mentions a "terrifying encounter in Hell", and it's quite right. What Michael does to Taylor is almost unforgivably bad, but also serves as a way to bring down and humanize a guy who wouldn't have worked as a hero otherwise. And of course, other than figuring out how to be together (or if Taylor wants to be with Michael), they also have to deal with… stuff.
Man, I’m getting really good at summarizing plots.
The reason why I’m hesitant to say more about the story is because the book almost reads like a suspense novel, even if the rules of the genre guarantee a happy ending. But even knowing things will eventually resolve, there’s a feeling of incertitude and fear for the characters’ fate that permeates the whole reading experience, and I don’t want to rob someone of the whole experience by inadvertently giving away a minor detail or spoiler. So I’ll just say that there is a lot going, but everything that happens feeds the relationship between the characters at the core of the story. And that we get to see old friends in important roles that don’t feel like intrusive fan service.
When a book is surrounded by so much love and expectations, there’s always the possibility that it will disappoint those who spent years feeding said love. Add to that a hero whose heroic qualities are dubious not because he’s morally corrupt, but because he’s perfect to the point of unattainable, we get a recipe for possible disaster. But as I said, the first thing that happens is that Michael stops being perfect, not only to us, but to Taylor. And so, not only does the love story become possible, but we almost become active participants in Taylor’s journey. The end result is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the series.
As much as I was intrigued by Michael, Taylor was the one I really cared about. I’ve liked her since I first met her all those books ago, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her even before I knew she would be the final heroine. She’s always been an outsider who was forced to share the world with angels, demons and vampires, but who never felt comfortable or even accepted them. She’s a complex woman filled with strengths and very much aware of her vulnerabilities. She’s also torn between what’s right and what she wants to do, which is her main journey in this book, even taking preference over the impossible romance. The story is about her as an individual as much as it is about them as a couple.
On the other hand, Michael took some getting used to. Ms. Brook’s brand of alpha male is different from what Paranormal Romance has us used to. These guys are strong leaders who take action, but they are not overbearing or abusive. However, Michael is really, really old and really, really powerful, something that complicates things. I was surprised by how believable his otherness was. It’s so easy to turn a character like that into a joke, but there’s nothing particularly laughable or exaggerated about him. It’s so well done that it made it hard for me to find something about him that read human or relatable; a problem I shared with Taylor. The problem gets slowly resolved once she begins to see him under a different light, so his transformation actually takes place within her.
Guardian Demon was perfect for me, but it is not a perfect book. There is a lot going on in the story, and some parts felt rushed while others felt slow, so the pacing was uneven, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some readers found it boring, especially those unfamiliar with the series or not as emotionally invested as long-time fans. Certain resolutions happen too conveniently, and although there’s some clever foreshadowing that makes said convenience seem clever and surprising, I thought it was more about creating a problem impossible to solve without the use of certain elements that looked a lot like deus ex machina. But these are things easy to ignore with such an engrossing and riveting story, and considering everything the book accomplishes, they are nothing but minor issues.
The review is already way too long, so I should warp things up, but I can’t leave without saying just how happy the book made me. I realize this review is even more subjective than usual, so you should take it with a bigger grain of salt, but the best endorsement I can give Guardian Demon is that I’m an unabashed fan of the series, I’ve been dying with the anticipation to read the book, and I can honestly say that this is the conclusion such a wonderful series deserves. If you’re new to the books, go back and read them in order.
Source: A review copy was provided by the author.
August 6, 2013
Note: This is an excerpt from my full review, which is posted at That's What I'm Talking About here: http://twimom227.com/2013/08/review-g...
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of a review.
My Rating: 5 stars: Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
The end is finally here. After waiting almost two years for Ms. Brook’s grand finale to her marvelous Guardian series, I started Guardian Demon with mixed feelings. I was excited to finally read Michael’s book... I was sad knowing this was the end of one of my favorite series. So on that note... Let me share with you my thoughts. Please note: as the eighth and final book of this series, it truly is not meant for the first time reader, and my review will inevitably contain spoilers from earlier books in the series.
Ms. Brook is a master at conveying true emotional depth in her stories. I cried - no bawled - at several points during Guardian Demon. At one point I was unable to read because my eyes were so full of tears. This is a wonderful thing because it means I was able to connect with and care for these characters, especially Michael and Taylor. (Note: sometimes the tears were joyful!) Have tissues at the ready!
At over 570 pages, this book is a behemoth. There is no way I can accurately or succinctly summarize all that occurs. But the bottom line is, Ms. Brook’s does a marvelous job finalizing the series. She takes the time to not only explore the complex relationship between Michael and Taylor, but she explains the whats and whys of how the world got to the place it is in by the time the final battles occur. She brings back all of the previous characters and lets readers know where they are and what they’ve been up to. She furthers her own wonderful mythology, while providing a means to an end. Guardian Demon most certainly wraps up and gives finality to the overall story arc of good vs. bad, Caelum vs. Hell, Guardians vs. Demons, Michael vs. Lucifer.
Michael and Taylor... what a wonderful combination. From the first moments that the pair met, you knew they would have a highly charged and powerful romance. I am happy to report that Ms. Brook does deliver. What starts out as a somewhat standoffish relationship, grows and blossoms into a thing of beauty. There were thorns and a lot of pain along the way, but the journey was just so good. They worked and played together so well - learning from one another and helping us along on their journey. I lost count of how many times I smiled or sobbed because of this pair. Each character is so strong, yet so vulnerable. They start out in lonely, isolated places, but then they each allow themselves to feel... to experience... to trust. Sure they have physical chemistry - and WOW! are they hot together. It’s all very needy and about possession and uncontrollable hunger, which makes me fan myself just thinking about it. But it is the emotional growth between the pair that makes them one of my all-time favorite couples. The emotional highs and lows (and there are plenty of both) create a connection that held onto my heart and still brings tears to my eyes. I love this pair!
What made this story so ideal is that although everything that needed to be wrapped up was done so with a bow, Meljean took time to explore all aspects of the outcome - the good and bad, the easy and messy. It was predictable, yet surprising. There was no easy path, and at over 570 pages, there were challenges. I never felt that the story was overwritten, but there were a few times when I found myself itching and anxious to move on to the next scene. These were usually the times of fairly deep philosophical discussions between Michael and Taylor. Even though they slowed down the pace of the book, after reading those sections I felt like I got a better understanding of the characters. These sections also allowed the author to explore and explain the entire Guardian workings and world that spanned eight books and five novellas.
Ms. Brook has a sublime talent for world-building - literally, as we witness the rebirth of realm of Caelum at the hands of novice Taylor. Every locale visited, every battle fought, every tender moment… these were seamlessly described with intricate details which allowed the reader to be right there with the characters. There was no "telling," only "showing." Some how, the story never gets bogged down under the weight of the details, only enhanced by the words that brought this story to life.
Everyone of the cast and crew from early books is present for the conclusion of the series. Even though it's been two years since the last story, I never felt lost - and that is saying a lot coming from me. I forget what I ate for breakfast as soon as the dishes are in the dishwasher. The previous tales are mentioned in a way that seemed like a comfortable memory - I didn't need to know every detail, but rather I was reminded how I felt and what generally happened. I truly am amazed that I wasn't continually reaching for my books, searching for the back stories.
So in the end, I couldn't be more pleased with Guardian Demon. While it is not an affective stand alone book, it is perfect for long-time fans of the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of a review.
My Rating: 5 stars: Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
The end is finally here. After waiting almost two years for Ms. Brook’s grand finale to her marvelous Guardian series, I started Guardian Demon with mixed feelings. I was excited to finally read Michael’s book... I was sad knowing this was the end of one of my favorite series. So on that note... Let me share with you my thoughts. Please note: as the eighth and final book of this series, it truly is not meant for the first time reader, and my review will inevitably contain spoilers from earlier books in the series.
Ms. Brook is a master at conveying true emotional depth in her stories. I cried - no bawled - at several points during Guardian Demon. At one point I was unable to read because my eyes were so full of tears. This is a wonderful thing because it means I was able to connect with and care for these characters, especially Michael and Taylor. (Note: sometimes the tears were joyful!) Have tissues at the ready!
At over 570 pages, this book is a behemoth. There is no way I can accurately or succinctly summarize all that occurs. But the bottom line is, Ms. Brook’s does a marvelous job finalizing the series. She takes the time to not only explore the complex relationship between Michael and Taylor, but she explains the whats and whys of how the world got to the place it is in by the time the final battles occur. She brings back all of the previous characters and lets readers know where they are and what they’ve been up to. She furthers her own wonderful mythology, while providing a means to an end. Guardian Demon most certainly wraps up and gives finality to the overall story arc of good vs. bad, Caelum vs. Hell, Guardians vs. Demons, Michael vs. Lucifer.
Michael and Taylor... what a wonderful combination. From the first moments that the pair met, you knew they would have a highly charged and powerful romance. I am happy to report that Ms. Brook does deliver. What starts out as a somewhat standoffish relationship, grows and blossoms into a thing of beauty. There were thorns and a lot of pain along the way, but the journey was just so good. They worked and played together so well - learning from one another and helping us along on their journey. I lost count of how many times I smiled or sobbed because of this pair. Each character is so strong, yet so vulnerable. They start out in lonely, isolated places, but then they each allow themselves to feel... to experience... to trust. Sure they have physical chemistry - and WOW! are they hot together. It’s all very needy and about possession and uncontrollable hunger, which makes me fan myself just thinking about it. But it is the emotional growth between the pair that makes them one of my all-time favorite couples. The emotional highs and lows (and there are plenty of both) create a connection that held onto my heart and still brings tears to my eyes. I love this pair!
What made this story so ideal is that although everything that needed to be wrapped up was done so with a bow, Meljean took time to explore all aspects of the outcome - the good and bad, the easy and messy. It was predictable, yet surprising. There was no easy path, and at over 570 pages, there were challenges. I never felt that the story was overwritten, but there were a few times when I found myself itching and anxious to move on to the next scene. These were usually the times of fairly deep philosophical discussions between Michael and Taylor. Even though they slowed down the pace of the book, after reading those sections I felt like I got a better understanding of the characters. These sections also allowed the author to explore and explain the entire Guardian workings and world that spanned eight books and five novellas.
Ms. Brook has a sublime talent for world-building - literally, as we witness the rebirth of realm of Caelum at the hands of novice Taylor. Every locale visited, every battle fought, every tender moment… these were seamlessly described with intricate details which allowed the reader to be right there with the characters. There was no "telling," only "showing." Some how, the story never gets bogged down under the weight of the details, only enhanced by the words that brought this story to life.
Everyone of the cast and crew from early books is present for the conclusion of the series. Even though it's been two years since the last story, I never felt lost - and that is saying a lot coming from me. I forget what I ate for breakfast as soon as the dishes are in the dishwasher. The previous tales are mentioned in a way that seemed like a comfortable memory - I didn't need to know every detail, but rather I was reminded how I felt and what generally happened. I truly am amazed that I wasn't continually reaching for my books, searching for the back stories.
So in the end, I couldn't be more pleased with Guardian Demon. While it is not an affective stand alone book, it is perfect for long-time fans of the series.
August 29, 2013
Copied from my comments at DearAuthor:
I really enjoyed the book. I was wondering how Michael was going to become touchable enough to be a hero for Andromeda ^^, especially considering what she had been going through and then where he ended up, really emphasising how non-human he actually was.
So getting to the nitty gritty of him and showing her the part he really didn’t want to show anyone who didn’t already knew it (his fellow surviving grigori) worked really well. I enjoyed the way that Andromeda got to express her amiration/hero-worship and how that changed and became something real the more contact she had with the post-frozenfields Michael.
Of course the more I read about his past and the explanations he gave to Andromeda while successfully reconnecting to her (very fast, but the narrative trick of what happens after the horrifying thing really made it digestible to me) of how he developed to be who he is now across the milennia (!) the more I wondered at his name – I mean it’s the English version, but none of the other grigori or demons of similar age have an English name, heh.
I loved Andy’s fixation on his looks, which she never lost ^^ – and the way he catered to that.
The integration of the other Guardians came at just the right level, space and amount, to drive the story forward and not be nods from the cast to remind you of them. I hate spiders but Alice was so awesome in this one, and Jake and Rosalia and Irena shone, but then she’s a scene stealer anyway, as are Lilith and Sir Pup. The full horror got me with Savi’s and her beloved’s fate.
I wonder how the conservative Christian reader will deal with Michael’s musings on angels and god, but I expect they won’t read a superhero action series about angels and devils in the first place. I thought they made sense for his experiences and the world created, which is why the very final twist and the visit of the person so desperately beseeched before took a bit of the shine from the accomplishment for me.
But, as always in a Guardian book, I liked that Andromeda ended up in a position of choice finally, running things and being adored by Michael and no longer manipulated. Good stuff!
I really enjoyed the book. I was wondering how Michael was going to become touchable enough to be a hero for Andromeda ^^, especially considering what she had been going through and then where he ended up, really emphasising how non-human he actually was.
So getting to the nitty gritty of him and showing her the part he really didn’t want to show anyone who didn’t already knew it (his fellow surviving grigori) worked really well. I enjoyed the way that Andromeda got to express her amiration/hero-worship and how that changed and became something real the more contact she had with the post-frozenfields Michael.
Of course the more I read about his past and the explanations he gave to Andromeda while successfully reconnecting to her (very fast, but the narrative trick of what happens after the horrifying thing really made it digestible to me) of how he developed to be who he is now across the milennia (!) the more I wondered at his name – I mean it’s the English version, but none of the other grigori or demons of similar age have an English name, heh.
I loved Andy’s fixation on his looks, which she never lost ^^ – and the way he catered to that.
The integration of the other Guardians came at just the right level, space and amount, to drive the story forward and not be nods from the cast to remind you of them. I hate spiders but Alice was so awesome in this one, and Jake and Rosalia and Irena shone, but then she’s a scene stealer anyway, as are Lilith and Sir Pup. The full horror got me with Savi’s and her beloved’s fate.
I wonder how the conservative Christian reader will deal with Michael’s musings on angels and god, but I expect they won’t read a superhero action series about angels and devils in the first place. I thought they made sense for his experiences and the world created, which is why the very final twist and the visit of the person so desperately beseeched before took a bit of the shine from the accomplishment for me.
But, as always in a Guardian book, I liked that Andromeda ended up in a position of choice finally, running things and being adored by Michael and no longer manipulated. Good stuff!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2013
While I have fallen in love with various aspects of the Guardian series, there have been two dominant threads plucked in the background, piquing my curiosity and humming along behind the humor, the violence, and the happily-ever-afters of every other book. This ever building anticipation culminates in GUARDIAN DEMON, and Brook makes this last book more than worth the wait. Engrossing action, off the charts romance, GUARDIAN DEMON is one of the most satisfying series finales I've ever read.
Part of this satisfaction is derived from the build up. Brook has crafted a long, sweet road to this final conflict. The battle with Lucifer has always been on an epic scale, spanning millennia and every possible attack from crafty betrayals to full frontal force. This book brings all of those different political fronts to a head, and the lynchpin is once again Michael. Leader of the Guardians, the Alpha hero to end all Alpha heroes, and by this point in the story, battered, broken, and barely hanging on. Michael's vulnerabilities make it believable once the inscrutable, all-powerful shield comes down, when we get to see the raging mass of power and emotion underneath his holy warrior shell. But this chink in his armor does not make him any less alien. Rather, Brook does a fantastic job imagining how the love affair of an immortal, magical being might progress. And the sex scenes, oh my sweet heavens the sex scenes. As interesting as Michael's emotional landscape may be, I must admit even that was overpowered by the reality of a shape-shifting, super-sonic teleporter in bed. For the first time in a thousand years. Michael is everything I could have hoped for, everything I was anticipating, and once I got a taste of him I couldn't get enough.
In fact, my only complaint about this book could be that I was so engrossed in the romance I often lost patience with the "battle for the fate of the world" side of the plot. The action was very well paced, and gave Taylor and Michael's romance both a believable foundation and room to breath, but every time the hero and heroine left the page (or paid attention to anyone other than each other), I was just biding my time, waiting for our smoldering hero to come back. Brook made me laugh out loud, fan myself, devour GUARDIAN DEMON in one sitting, and then wish there were more... It's always hard to say goodbye to a series, but it's also hard to imagine any Guardians book could ever be better than this one.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
Part of this satisfaction is derived from the build up. Brook has crafted a long, sweet road to this final conflict. The battle with Lucifer has always been on an epic scale, spanning millennia and every possible attack from crafty betrayals to full frontal force. This book brings all of those different political fronts to a head, and the lynchpin is once again Michael. Leader of the Guardians, the Alpha hero to end all Alpha heroes, and by this point in the story, battered, broken, and barely hanging on. Michael's vulnerabilities make it believable once the inscrutable, all-powerful shield comes down, when we get to see the raging mass of power and emotion underneath his holy warrior shell. But this chink in his armor does not make him any less alien. Rather, Brook does a fantastic job imagining how the love affair of an immortal, magical being might progress. And the sex scenes, oh my sweet heavens the sex scenes. As interesting as Michael's emotional landscape may be, I must admit even that was overpowered by the reality of a shape-shifting, super-sonic teleporter in bed. For the first time in a thousand years. Michael is everything I could have hoped for, everything I was anticipating, and once I got a taste of him I couldn't get enough.
In fact, my only complaint about this book could be that I was so engrossed in the romance I often lost patience with the "battle for the fate of the world" side of the plot. The action was very well paced, and gave Taylor and Michael's romance both a believable foundation and room to breath, but every time the hero and heroine left the page (or paid attention to anyone other than each other), I was just biding my time, waiting for our smoldering hero to come back. Brook made me laugh out loud, fan myself, devour GUARDIAN DEMON in one sitting, and then wish there were more... It's always hard to say goodbye to a series, but it's also hard to imagine any Guardians book could ever be better than this one.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
April 22, 2018
In Guardian Demon, the final book of the Guardians series, things have finally escalated in the war between Guardians and hell. Lucifer has set into motion events that will allow him to break through the barrier to earth and destroy humanity. In order to stop him, the Guardians must pool all their resources together. This includes Andromeda Taylor, who, after the events that brought Michael back from hell has committed herself to leaving the guardians by “falling”.
Guardian Demon was an intense read and an excellent conclusion to these books. What made it so suspenseful was that everyone was racing against the clock to discover Lucifer’s plans for starting the apocalypse and to save loved ones who got pulled into the fire. This became direr as each move seemed to play into his hands. On top of this, Michael has finally returned from his torture in the frozen field and is committed to atoning for what he has done to Taylor before the personal clock he’s racing against runs out.
What I love about Brook is that she isn't afraid to put her characters through some pain. Just because someone has been a staple of the series since it began or has gotten their own book, doesn't mean they’re safe. Knowing that characters you love could be hurt makes the emotional impact of the battle so much more engaging. I only wish that Brook had pushed this envelop a bit more in the final confrontation and that ending of the book wasn’t so clean cut.
All in all, this was a fantastic read and a very satisfying conclusion to the series. If you’re looking to get into the Guardians, I would recommend you start at the beginning with Demon Angel since each book builds upon the other. However, if you don't want to read all 8 books in the series then at least read Demon Angel and Demon Moon prior to this one since the characters from those two books are key ones here.
Guardian Demon was an intense read and an excellent conclusion to these books. What made it so suspenseful was that everyone was racing against the clock to discover Lucifer’s plans for starting the apocalypse and to save loved ones who got pulled into the fire. This became direr as each move seemed to play into his hands. On top of this, Michael has finally returned from his torture in the frozen field and is committed to atoning for what he has done to Taylor before the personal clock he’s racing against runs out.
What I love about Brook is that she isn't afraid to put her characters through some pain. Just because someone has been a staple of the series since it began or has gotten their own book, doesn't mean they’re safe. Knowing that characters you love could be hurt makes the emotional impact of the battle so much more engaging. I only wish that Brook had pushed this envelop a bit more in the final confrontation and that ending of the book wasn’t so clean cut.
All in all, this was a fantastic read and a very satisfying conclusion to the series. If you’re looking to get into the Guardians, I would recommend you start at the beginning with Demon Angel since each book builds upon the other. However, if you don't want to read all 8 books in the series then at least read Demon Angel and Demon Moon prior to this one since the characters from those two books are key ones here.
August 8, 2013
"There's not enough time."
Before the world burned? "There will be," she said.
It had to be.
"Yes." His eyes closed briefly. "I will make it enough."
This is the finale to Meljean Brook's amazing Guardian series and deals with what happens when Lucifer finally breaks out and hell and chaos come to earth. And the only thing to stand against him are the Guardians...I really don't want to spoil any of the plot - the book deserves to be discovered on its own.
GUUUUUUUH
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!
There is a fast-paced, complicated, wonderful story in there, with many twists and turns, the world-building continues stellar, and there are appearances by all the favorites from the past seven books, all of whom play a role in the story, but ultimately what made me stay up late and wake up early to finish the story were Michael, the leader of the Guardians and Andromeda Taylor, Guardian, former cop, and someone who literally anchors Michael to existence. Their relationship is fraught, complicated, bristling with chemistry, anger, need, desperation and so much sheer fitting together that I have no words. I do believe they have replaced Colin and Savi or Nick and Ash as my favorite Guardian couple.
I have been waiting for Michael and Taylor's story for a very long time, always with a little undercurrent of worry that it would not live up to my hopes (most series which have a character(s) whose book the series is building to, end up disappointing me with that book). But Meljean Brook proved every last worry of mine wrong - this book was everything I could have wanted in my wildest dreams and more. So much more. I was intrigued by Michael and Taylor before, but I flat out adore them now - both of them incredibly strong in different ways, and just as damaged (though the damage is always a little less than their will can take before breaking). Both complex and complicated and trying to cope with some uncopeable things and ultimately refusing to give up on each other and just - OK, stop me, I am babbling.
Perfect perfect book.
My one regret is that I will never again read it for the first time.
Before the world burned? "There will be," she said.
It had to be.
"Yes." His eyes closed briefly. "I will make it enough."
This is the finale to Meljean Brook's amazing Guardian series and deals with what happens when Lucifer finally breaks out and hell and chaos come to earth. And the only thing to stand against him are the Guardians...I really don't want to spoil any of the plot - the book deserves to be discovered on its own.
GUUUUUUUH
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!
There is a fast-paced, complicated, wonderful story in there, with many twists and turns, the world-building continues stellar, and there are appearances by all the favorites from the past seven books, all of whom play a role in the story, but ultimately what made me stay up late and wake up early to finish the story were Michael, the leader of the Guardians and Andromeda Taylor, Guardian, former cop, and someone who literally anchors Michael to existence. Their relationship is fraught, complicated, bristling with chemistry, anger, need, desperation and so much sheer fitting together that I have no words. I do believe they have replaced Colin and Savi or Nick and Ash as my favorite Guardian couple.
I have been waiting for Michael and Taylor's story for a very long time, always with a little undercurrent of worry that it would not live up to my hopes (most series which have a character(s) whose book the series is building to, end up disappointing me with that book). But Meljean Brook proved every last worry of mine wrong - this book was everything I could have wanted in my wildest dreams and more. So much more. I was intrigued by Michael and Taylor before, but I flat out adore them now - both of them incredibly strong in different ways, and just as damaged (though the damage is always a little less than their will can take before breaking). Both complex and complicated and trying to cope with some uncopeable things and ultimately refusing to give up on each other and just - OK, stop me, I am babbling.
Perfect perfect book.
My one regret is that I will never again read it for the first time.
September 9, 2013
There is nothing generic about this action-oriented series. It's an unequaled world of slick crimson violence, with a stylish angle on afterlife and mythology, woven through a soulful love story.
And what a satisfying conclusion to this engaging mythos of the guardians fighting demons! There's a fangton of crime solving. Myriad murders and chaos. Sword fights and fire-breathing dragons. Even a flayed face and dismembered genitalia. But this creature feature doesn't ditch imagination in preference of shock de la gore. The graphic images are muted and sketched artfully, not forcibly.
The only thing I struggled with was the retreading of the investigations. The endless fact-finding and exhaustive details of suspects, victims, demons, and vampires quickly became a glazed-eye blur and felt unnecessary to the storyline. But not once was I tempted to put this book down.
Taylor's gift as a Guardian brings a fascinating incorporeal element to the series and Ms Brook portrays the application of this supernatural gift with imagination and masterful writing.
Taylor's gift is made more unforgettable in her romantic relationship with Michael. And oh, what a grand-scale romance. If you've been waiting for their union as long as I have, you won't be disappointed. The climb to get there is agonizing, laborious, and rife with sexual tension. Truly, a well-earned HEA.
And what a satisfying conclusion to this engaging mythos of the guardians fighting demons! There's a fangton of crime solving. Myriad murders and chaos. Sword fights and fire-breathing dragons. Even a flayed face and dismembered genitalia. But this creature feature doesn't ditch imagination in preference of shock de la gore. The graphic images are muted and sketched artfully, not forcibly.
The only thing I struggled with was the retreading of the investigations. The endless fact-finding and exhaustive details of suspects, victims, demons, and vampires quickly became a glazed-eye blur and felt unnecessary to the storyline. But not once was I tempted to put this book down.
Taylor's gift as a Guardian brings a fascinating incorporeal element to the series and Ms Brook portrays the application of this supernatural gift with imagination and masterful writing.
Taylor's gift is made more unforgettable in her romantic relationship with Michael. And oh, what a grand-scale romance. If you've been waiting for their union as long as I have, you won't be disappointed. The climb to get there is agonizing, laborious, and rife with sexual tension. Truly, a well-earned HEA.
August 6, 2013
This is the eighth and final book in Meljean's The Guardian series and is all action. Andromeda wants to resume her human and normal existence after a horrid experience in Hell has her questioning a lot, including her trust in Michael. Michael needs her, though, to control his demon side. The war is on full throttle, and Michael needs all the guardians he can to push back Lucifer's forces. Will there be an HEA for Michael? And will Andromeda allow herself to fully love Michael, edges and all? This is Meljean at her finest, and the ending is perfect, a bit sad but perfect. Personal and plot story arcs are tied up, and readers are left wanting more but somehow satisfied.
To see more recs this week check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
To see more recs this week check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
August 14, 2013
Words can not express how much I loved this book! I bow to Brook's talent once again. Now I'm going to huddle in a corner and cry my heart out because Guardians no more...
August 30, 2013
หนังสือเล่มที่แปดในชุด The Guardians ของเมลจีน บรู๊ค และถือเป็นสุดท้ายปิดชุด (แม้ว่า หลังจากนี้จะมีเรื่องสั้นออกมา แต่ก็เป็นเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นในระหว่างเหตุการณ์ของเล่มนี้) ซึ่งสำหรับเราแล้ว หนังสือชุดนี้ถือเป็นชุดแถวหน้าที่เราชอบมาก ๆ เป็นชุดที่เราคิดว่า คนเขียนวางโครงเรื่องได้อย่างแยบยล และการเขียนในแต่ละเล่มก็แสดงให้ด้านต่าง ๆ ของโลกในเรื่อง และตัวละครที่มีความแตกต่าง แต่น่าสนใจไม่น้อยไปกว่ากันเลย
สำหรับคนที่อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้ ตัวละครที่ถือว่ามีความสำคัญ และอาจจะเรียกได้ว่า เป็นศูนย์กลางของเรื่องราวทั้งหมดก็คือ ไมเคิล เขาออกมาตั้งแต่ในเรื่องสั้นเล่มแรก และเรื่องราวของเขา (หรือเราจะเรียกว่า ตัวตนของเขา) ถูกบอกเล่าผ่านหนังสือทุกเล่มในชุด กระนั้นคนแต่งไม่ได้ทำให้ไมเคิลเป็นตัวละครที่แย่งบท หรือความโดดเด่นจากพระนางในแต่ละเรื่องหรอกนะคะ เรื่องราวของเขาซึ่งน่าสนใจถูกนำเข้าไปเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของเรื่องอย่างชาญฉลาด และผลักดันให้พล็อตเดินหน้าไป
กระนั้นเราคงต้องบอกว่า เราไม่แนะนำให้ใครเริ่มต้นอ่านหนังสือชุดนี้ที่เล่มนี้ เหตุการณ์มากมายเกิดขึ้น และที่สำคัญ คุณจะสปอยล์ตัวเองในการอ่านเล่มนี้ทำไมล่ะ ค้นพบตัวตนของไมเคิลจากเล่มอื่น ๆ ก่อนหน้าดีกว่าค่ะ ดังนั้นจึงเป็นไปไม่ได้เลย (สำหรับเรา) ที่จะรีวิวเรื่องนี้โดยไม่สปอยล์เหตุการณ์ในเล่มก่อนหน้า
และเพราะเรามีเวลา และเราหลงใหลหนังสือชุดนี้มากมาย เราขอท้าวความย้อนกลับไปตั้งแต่จุดกำเนิด แรกเริ่มเมื่อไมเคิลมีบทบาทในเรื่อง เราเปรียบเทียบคาแร็คเตอร์ของเขากับเซ็นต์ไมเคิล คิดขนาดว่า อาจจะเป็นคนคนเดียวกันด้วยซ้ำ เมื่อเรื่องราวที่บอกเล่าเกี่ยวกับต้นกำเนิดของเหล่าการ์เดี้ยน ซึ่งทำหน้าที่ปกป้องมนุษย์จากปีศาจจากนรก เริ่มต้นเมื่อไมเคิล ซึ่งเป็นมนุษย์ธรรมดา แต่แสดงความกล้าหาญด้วยการฆ่ามังกร ที่ลูซิเฟอร์พามาเป็นลูกสมุนจากดินแดนที่เรียกว่า เคออส การที่ลูซิเฟอร์ได้มังกรเข้ามาร่วมในสงครามกับทูตสวรรค์ (ที่เกิดขึ้นบนโลกมนุษย์) ทำให้เหล่าทูตสวรรค์เกือบพ่ายแพ้ แต่การที่มนุษย์อย่างไมเคิลเลือกข้าง และช่วยด้วยการฆ่ามังกร ทำให้สงครามระหว่างสวรรค์และนรกจบลง ไมเคิลได้รับแต่งตั้งให้เป็นการ์เดี้ยนคนแรก และเป็นผู้มีอำนาจในการเปลี่ยนมนุษย์คนอื่น ๆ ให้กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยนด้วยเช่นกัน หากมนุษย์ผู้นั้นพิสูจน์ตัวเองด้วยการเสียสละชีวิตของตัวเองเพื่อคนอื่น (และตายด้วยน้ำมือของสิ่งมีชีวิตเหนือธรรมชาติ)
เราไม่คิดว่า คาแร็คเตอร์ของไมเคิลน่าสนใจเท่าไหรนัก เขาดูเป็นตำนานมากเกินไป เรื่องราวของเขากล้าหาญ น่าจดจำ แต่ก็ทำให้เรารู้สึกเหมือนเขาเป็นคนที่น่าเบื่อหน่าย ชายผู้เลือกความถูกต้องทุกครั้ง เรามักจะชอบคาแร็คเตอร์ที่อยู่ในโลกสีเทามากกว่า
แต่ในระหว่างหนังสือเล่มแรกที่ไมเคิลปรากฎตัวขึ้น จนมาถึงเล่มนี้ซึ่งเล่าเรื่องราวของเขา เมลจีน บรู๊ควิวัฒนาการตัวตนของไมเคิล เราอาจจะใช้คำไม่ถูกนะคะ เพราะตัวตนของไมเคิลไม่ได้เปลี่ยนแปลงไปเลยจากเล่มแรก เพียงแต่สายตาของคนอ่านที่มองตัวตนของเขาเปลี่ยนแปลงไปมากมายจากเล่มแรก
อย่างช้า ๆ เขาไม่ใช่ชายผู้สมบูรณ์แบบทุกอย่างอีกต่อไป ไมเคิลมีด้านมืด ความจริงเกี่ยวกับตัวเขาค่อย ๆ เปิดเผยออก เขาไม่ใช่มนุษย์ด้วยซ้ำ กลับเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นมาโดยลูซิเฟอร์เพื่อครอบครองโลก เพียงแต่แผนผิดพลาด และบัดนี้ไมเคิลเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่จะหยุดยั้งลูซิเฟอร์ได้
จากตอนจบในเรื่อง Demon Marked ในที่สุดไมเคิลก็ถูกปลดปล่อยออกจาก Frozen Field ซึ่งเป็นดินแดนที่ใช้ลงโทษวิญญาณที่ผิดคำพูดที่ให้ไว้กับปีศาจ ไมเคิลเสียสละตัวเองเพื่อสร้างความแข็งแรงให้กับ Frozen Field เพื่อหยุดยั้งลูซิเฟอร์จากการเปิดประตูสู่โลกโดยผ่านทางดินแดนเคออส (ถ้าอ่านแล้วงง ก็แสดงว่าไม่ได้อ่านเล่มก่อนหน้าในชุด ดังนั้นอย่างซีเรียสค่ะ เราแนะนำให้กลับไปอ่านก่อนนะคะ) แต่เมื่อถูกปล่อยออกมา วิญญาณของไมเคิลเหลือแต่แก่น ความรู้ผิดชอบชั่วดีได้หายไปหมดแล้ว และนี่ก็คือตัวตนของไมเคิลที่แอนโดรมีดรา เทย์เลอร์ได้เผชิญหน้า
แอนดี้ เทย์เลอร์ อดีตนายตำรวจสาวที่เข้าไปพัวพันกับเรื่องเหนือธรรมชาติอย่างช่วยไม่ได้ กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยนเพราะเสียสละชีวิตเพื่อปกป้องคู่หูจากความตาย และเธอคือคนที่ต่อเชื่อมทางจิตกับไมเคิลตลอดเวลาที่เขาถูกขังไว้ที่ Frozen Field ดังนั้นเธอจึงเป็นตัวเลือกที่ดีที่จะพาไมเคิลกลับสู่เหล่าการ์เดี้ยน หากแต่การเผชิญหน้ากันในนรก เมื่อเทย์เลอร์ได้เห็นตัวตนแท้จริงของไมเคิล มันทำลายทุกอย่างที่เธออาจจะรู้สึกต่อเขา และสร้างคำถามต่อความเชื่อที่เธอมี
เราชอบประเด็นนี้ในเรื่องมาก ๆ เพราะเราเริ่มต้นเรื่องด้วยการคิดว่า ไมเคิล "ดี" เกินไป แต่ในเล่มนี้ได้ท้าทายความคิดของเรา เขาไม่ได้เริ่มต้นด้วยการเป็นคนที่เขาเป็นในปัจจุบัน ทุกสิ่งย่อมมีวิวัฒนาการ และเราใช้คำนี้กับไมเคิล (แต่วิวัฒนาการของไมเคิลมันเกิดขึ้นและทำให้เขากลายเป็นคนอย่างที่เขาก่อนหน้าที่จะเริ่มต้นเล่มแรกในชุด) เขาถูกสร้างขึ้นมาโดยปีศาจ แก่นของเขาผูกพันกับดินแดนแห่งเคออส (เพราะพ่อของเขากินเนื้อมังกรเพื่อให้สามารถมีลูกกับมนุษย์ได้) ดังนั้นในส่วนลึกที่สุดไมเคิลไม่ใช่ "ความดี" หากแต่เป็นความกระหาย บ้าคลั่ง แต่เพราะความเข้มแข็งของเขา การสั่งสอนจากครอบครัว (ก่อนที่พ่อของเขาจะคืนสู่ตัวตนแท้จริง นั่นคือปีศาจ) และเทวทูตที่รอบกาย ไมเคิลเรียนรู้ และสร้างกรอบศีลธรรมให้กับตัวเอง เราพบว่า ตัวเองทึ่งกับแนวคิดนี้มาก ๆ บางสิ่งที่เริ่มต้นจาก "ความชั่วร้าย" กลายเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่ปกป้องมนุษยชาติจากความชั่วร้ายที่แท้จริงได้
ในแง่ของคาแร็คเตอร์ แม้เราจะพบว่า ตัวเองเห็นว่า ไมเคิลมีความน่าสนใจมากขึ้น เราไม่ได้เกิดอาการคลั่งไคล้เขาเหมือนกับที่เราเป็นกับคาแร็คเตอร์บางตัวในชุดนี้ (คอลิน, เจค, และโรซาเลีย) อาจจะเพราะตัวตนของไมเคิลยิ่งใหญ่มากเสียจนเราอยู่ในอาการทึ่ง แบบเดียวกับที่เหล่าการ์เดี้ยนคนอื่น ๆ รู้สึก ในเรื่องคนแต่งบอกเล่าชีวิตของไมเคิลไม่ได้โดยละเอียด แต่มากพอทำให้เราเข้าใจเขา ไมเคิลกลายมาเป็นคนแบบที่เขาเป็นเพราะการเรียนรู้ บทเรียนจากเพื่อนมนุษย์ด้วยกัน คนที่เขาเป็นเมื่อสองพันปีก่อน ไม่ใช่ตัวตนของเขาในปัจจุบัน
และนั่นนำไปสู่ปัญหาใหญ่ของเขา เพื่อช่วยให้วิญญาณไมเคิลกลับร่าง คาวีห์หนึ่งในเพื่อนสนิทที่สุดของเขา คนที่คิดว่า รู้จัก "ธรรมชาติ" ของไมเคิลดีที่สุด ใช้วิธีการที่เธอเชื่อว่า จะประสบความสำเร็จ แต่ไมเคิลคนที่คาวีห์รู้จักคือเมื่อสองพันปีก่อน ไมเคิลคนนั้นจะทำทุกอย่างเพื่อกำจัดจุดอ่อนของตัวเอง จะไม่ดึงรั้งอะไรเอาไว้มากเกินความจำเป็น แต่ไมเคิลในปัจจุบันไม่ใช่ชายคนนั้นอีกต่อไป ดังนั้นการที่คาวีห์แยกจิตวิญญาณของไมเคิลออกจากเทย์เลอร์ จึงกลายเป็นคำสั่งประหารอย่างช้า ๆ จิตของไมเคิลที่ผูกพันกับเทย์เลอร์มากขนาดไม่อยากจากเธอไป ไม่ยอมรับร่างกาย และไมเคิลชายคนที่ไม่อาจถูกทำลายลงได้ กำลังจะตาย
เวลาเริ่มนับถอยหลัง ไม่เฉพาะสำหรับไมเคิล แต่เป็นโลกมนุษย์ของเราด้วย เพราะหลังจากพนัน ลูซิเฟอร์ล่าถอยกลับไปยังนรก สัญญาที่ทำคือลูซิเฟอร์จะไม่เปิดประตูนรกที่ต่อเชื่อมกับโลกมนุษย์ แต่สัญญาไม่ได้ครอบคลุมไปถึงการที่ลูซิเฟอร์จะบุกโลกมนูษย์ผ่านทางดินแดนเคออส และลูซิเฟอร์กำลังมา เหล่าการ์เดียนรู้ดี และพยายามทำทุกอย่างเพื่อยับยั้ง
เล่มนี้จึงเป็นจุดจบ เป็นตอนจบที่แท้จริง การเผชิญหน้าระหว่างความดี และความเลว การเสียสละ ความรัก ที่มากไปกว่านั้น พล็อตการสืบสวน การแกะเบาะแสแผนการของลูซิเฟอร์ เล่มนี้มีครบทุกอย่าง
เราไม่ได้ชอบเล่มนี้เฉพาะแค่ตัวของมันเอง ในฐานะที่เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของชุด เล่มนี้มีคุณค่าเพิ่มทวีคูณ เล่มนี้แสดงให้เห็นว่า คนแต่งได้วางแผนมาอย่างรัดกุมแค่ไหนในการสร้างตัวละคร และพล็อตเรื่องในแต่ละเล่มก่อนหน้า ทุกอย่างนำพาเมื่อเพื่อจุดจุดนี้
ตัวละครในเล่มก่อนหน้าออกมามีบทบาทกันอย่างพร้อมหน้า แต่ไม่มีแม้แต่วินาทีเดียวที่เราคิดว่า พวกเขามาเดินผ่านฉากเพื่อให้คนอ่านหายคิดถึง ทุกคนมีบทบาท และเป็นบทบาทที่พวกเขาเป็นในเล่มของตัวเอง การที่คอลินสามารถมองเห็นดินแดนเคออสผ่านกระจกได้ การที่ชาร์ลีและดริฟเตอร์สามารถปลดล็อคได้ทุกชนิด หรือแม้กระทั่งมุขตลกของการที่เจคเทเลพอร์ตไปหาไมเคิลหรือเทย์เลอร์ในยามที่ไม่เหมาะสมสักนิดเดียว ทุกอย่างเตือนให้เรานึกถึงคาแร็คเตอร์เหล่านี้ในเล่มของพวกเขา แต่ก็ไม่มากจนเกินหน้าเกินตาประเด็นหลักในเรื่อง
ก่อนหน้าที่จะเริ่มอ่าน เราตั้งคำถามความเหมาะสมของแอนดี้ เทย์เลอร์ในฐานะนางเอกของไมเคิล เราจำได้ว่า เมลจีน บรู๊คบอกว่า เธอรู้มาตั้งแต่ต้นว่า แอนดี้จะเป็นนางเอกของไมเคิล แต่บอกตามตรงนะคะ ในฐานะของแฟนที่ติดตามชุดนี้มาตลอด เราไม่รู้สึกว่า มันชัดเจนขนาดนั้น เรารู้สึกว่า มีอะไรบางอย่างระหว่างทั้งสอง แต่เมลจีนก็ไม่ได้เขียนให้ดูชัดขนาดนั้น แล้วเราก็ยังมีคำถามคาใจที่ว่า มีอะไรในตัวเทย์เลอร์ที่ดีพอที่จะคู่ควรกับไมเคิล ซึ่งเป็นตัวละครที่ยิ่งใหญ่มาก ๆ ได้ เธอเป็นแค่อดีตตำรวจที่กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยน ถือว่าเป็นเด็กใหม่ในกลุ่ม และในหนังสือชุดที่คาแร็คเตอร์นางเอกแต่ละคนล้วนแต่น่าจดจำ (ลิลิธิ, ไอรีนา ,หรือคนที่เราชอบที่สุดโรซาเลีย) เทย์เลอร์จะเทียบกับพวกเธอได้ไหม
การอ่านเล่มนี้ทำให้เราได้รู้จักเธอมากขึ้น กระนั้นคำตอบของเราก็คงต้องยอมรับว่า เท��์เลอร์ไม่ใช่นางเอกที่อยู่ในดวงใจของเขาในชุด แต่นั่นไม่สำคัญ เพราะเรายอมรับความเหมาะสมของเธอกับไมเคิลได้ เราพบว่า เมื่ออ่านเรื่องนี้จบ เราไม่คิดว่าจะมีใครคู่ควรกับไมเคิลเท่ากับแอนโดรมีดรา เทย์เลอร์ ฉากที่ไมเคิลบรรยายความรู้สึกที่เขามีต่อเธอ เขาพูดถึงคุณลักษณะมากมายของเทย์เลอร์ คุณลักษณะที่ไม่ได้ทำให้เธอเป็นคนพิเศษเหนือผู้หญิงคนอื่น มันเป็นคุณลักษณะที่ไมเคิลเคยเจอมาก่อน สำหรับชายที่อยู่มายาวนานหลายพันปี เขาเจอทุกอย่างมาหมดแล้ว แต่การลงท้ายที่ว่า เขาไม่เคยเจอใครที่มีคุณลักษณะทั้งหมดนั่นในคนคนเดียว คือคำตอบที่ว่า ทำไมผู้หญิงคนนี้จึงเป็นทุกอย่างสำหรับเขา
เราชอบตอนจบมาก ๆ เมื่อเทวทูตไมเคิลปรากฎตัว กระทั่งการเลือกทูตสวรรค์ที่ลงมาพบก็มีความสำคัญ ตามคัมภีร์ เซ็นต์ไมเคิลคือคนที่ฆ่าลูซิเฟอร์ และไมเคิลของเราก็ถูกตั้งชื่อตามเขา ดังนั้นการที่เป็นคนที่เป็นคนลงมาพบไมเคิลและแอนดี้จึงลงตัวมาก ๆ ซึ่งก็เห็นได้ชัดว่า นั่นเป็นสิ่งที่เมลจีน บรู๊คตั้งใจ ฉากที่ไมเคิลตัดคอลูซิเฟอร เราอ่านในนึกถึงภาพ St. Michael the Archangel ที่วาดโดยกุยโด เรนี (ซึ่งอยู่ที่ Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins) แบบชัดเจนมาก
ยอมรับนะคะว่า ตอนจบเรื่องชุดนี้ดีแบบเกินจะเป็นไปได้ แต่เราขอเลือกตอนจบแบบนี้ค่ะ ที่สำคัญการเขียนเล่าเรื่องของเมลจีน ก็ทำให้เราเชื่อว่า เหล่าการ์เดี้ยนสามารถเอาชนะลูซิเฟอร์ได้โดยไม่สูญเสียใครไปเลยสักคนเดียว แผนการถูกเหล่าให้คนอ่านเข้าใจ และมันเป็นแผนการที่ฉลาดมาก ๆ (ทำให้เรานึกถึงการที่โรซาเลียจัดการกับเนฟิลิมในเรื่อง Demon Blood) แผนการดีพอที่จะทำให้บทสรุปเช่นนี้เป็นไปได้
นอกจากนี้คนแต่งยังตอบคำถามที่ทิ้งท้ายเอาไว้ในชุดจนหมด (เรานึกไม่ออกว่า มีประเด็นอะไรเหลือไว้อีก) กระทั่งเรื่องเล็กน้อย (แต่ใหญ่สำหรับเรา) เกี่ยวกับการที่ฮิวจ์กลายเป็นมนุษย์ก่อนลิลิธหลายสิบปี และเมื่อทั้งคู่กลายมาเป็นมนุษย์ก็มีโอกาสที่ฮิวจ์จะตายก่อนเธอ ในเรื่องมีฉากที่ลิลิธแสดงความอ่อนไหวในประเด็นนี้เอาไว้ (และทำให้เราดีใจมากที่เราไม่ใช่คนเดียวที่คิดถึงประเด็นนี้)
ปีนี้เราโชคดีนะคะ ได้อ่านหนังสือที่ถือว่าเป็น End Game ของหนังสือชุดที่เราชอบมาก ๆ สองเล่ม แม้ว่า Heart of Obsidian จะไม่ใช่เล่มสุดท้ายในชุด แต่ก็ถือว่าปิดประเด็นสำคัญมาก ๆ ที่เปิดเอาไว้ และก็มาถึงเล่มนี้ ส่วนหนึ่งเราดีใจนะคะที่จบชุด เพราะทุกอย่างลงตัวได้ดีมาก แต่ก็ใจหายเพราะนี่คือหนังสือชุดที่ดีที่สุดชุดนึงที่เราติดตามอ่านมาตลอดเจ็ดปี เราอยากให้เมลจีนเขียนต่อนะคะ อาจจะไม่ใช่ในภาพรวมพล็อตใหญ่ที่การ์เดี้ยนต้องต่อสู้กับลูซิเฟอร์ แต่เป็นเรื่องราวของพวกเขาหลังจากนั้น
การให้คะแนนวางอยู่บนพื้นฐานของเรื่องทั้งชุดค่ะ ในฐานะเล่มจบ เล่มนี้ตอบโจทย์ทุกอย่างที่เราอยากได้ ในฐานะเล่มเดี่ยว ๆ เล่มนี้อาจจะไม่ใช่เรื่องที่ดีที่สุดในชุดสำหรับเรา แต่มันคือองค์ประกอบที่สำคัญที่สุดของหนังสือชุดนี้
สำหรับคนที่อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้ ตัวละครที่ถือว่ามีความสำคัญ และอาจจะเรียกได้ว่า เป็นศูนย์กลางของเรื่องราวทั้งหมดก็คือ ไมเคิล เขาออกมาตั้งแต่ในเรื่องสั้นเล่มแรก และเรื่องราวของเขา (หรือเราจะเรียกว่า ตัวตนของเขา) ถูกบอกเล่าผ่านหนังสือทุกเล่มในชุด กระนั้นคนแต่งไม่ได้ทำให้ไมเคิลเป็นตัวละครที่แย่งบท หรือความโดดเด่นจากพระนางในแต่ละเรื่องหรอกนะคะ เรื่องราวของเขาซึ่งน่าสนใจถูกนำเข้าไปเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของเรื่องอย่างชาญฉลาด และผลักดันให้พล็อตเดินหน้าไป
กระนั้นเราคงต้องบอกว่า เราไม่แนะนำให้ใครเริ่มต้นอ่านหนังสือชุดนี้ที่เล่มนี้ เหตุการณ์มากมายเกิดขึ้น และที่สำคัญ คุณจะสปอยล์ตัวเองในการอ่านเล่มนี้ทำไมล่ะ ค้นพบตัวตนของไมเคิลจากเล่มอื่น ๆ ก่อนหน้าดีกว่าค่ะ ดังนั้นจึงเป็นไปไม่ได้เลย (สำหรับเรา) ที่จะรีวิวเรื่องนี้โดยไม่สปอยล์เหตุการณ์ในเล่มก่อนหน้า
และเพราะเรามีเวลา และเราหลงใหลหนังสือชุดนี้มากมาย เราขอท้าวความย้อนกลับไปตั้งแต่จุดกำเนิด แรกเริ่มเมื่อไมเคิลมีบทบาทในเรื่อง เราเปรียบเทียบคาแร็คเตอร์ของเขากับเซ็นต์ไมเคิล คิดขนาดว่า อาจจะเป็นคนคนเดียวกันด้วยซ้ำ เมื่อเรื่องราวที่บอกเล่าเกี่ยวกับต้นกำเนิดของเหล่าการ์เดี้ยน ซึ่งทำหน้าที่ปกป้องมนุษย์จากปีศาจจากนรก เริ่มต้นเมื่อไมเคิล ซึ่งเป็นมนุษย์ธรรมดา แต่แสดงความกล้าหาญด้วยการฆ่ามังกร ที่ลูซิเฟอร์พามาเป็นลูกสมุนจากดินแดนที่เรียกว่า เคออส การที่ลูซิเฟอร์ได้มังกรเข้ามาร่วมในสงครามกับทูตสวรรค์ (ที่เกิดขึ้นบนโลกมนุษย์) ทำให้เหล่าทูตสวรรค์เกือบพ่ายแพ้ แต่การที่มนุษย์อย่างไมเคิลเลือกข้าง และช่วยด้วยการฆ่ามังกร ทำให้สงครามระหว่างสวรรค์และนรกจบลง ไมเคิลได้รับแต่งตั้งให้เป็นการ์เดี้ยนคนแรก และเป็นผู้มีอำนาจในการเปลี่ยนมนุษย์คนอื่น ๆ ให้กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยนด้วยเช่นกัน หากมนุษย์ผู้นั้นพิสูจน์ตัวเองด้วยการเสียสละชีวิตของตัวเองเพื่อคนอื่น (และตายด้วยน้ำมือของสิ่งมีชีวิตเหนือธรรมชาติ)
เราไม่คิดว่า คาแร็คเตอร์ของไมเคิลน่าสนใจเท่าไหรนัก เขาดูเป็นตำนานมากเกินไป เรื่องราวของเขากล้าหาญ น่าจดจำ แต่ก็ทำให้เรารู้สึกเหมือนเขาเป็นคนที่น่าเบื่อหน่าย ชายผู้เลือกความถูกต้องทุกครั้ง เรามักจะชอบคาแร็คเตอร์ที่อยู่ในโลกสีเทามากกว่า
แต่ในระหว่างหนังสือเล่มแรกที่ไมเคิลปรากฎตัวขึ้น จนมาถึงเล่มนี้ซึ่งเล่าเรื่องราวของเขา เมลจีน บรู๊ควิวัฒนาการตัวตนของไมเคิล เราอาจจะใช้คำไม่ถูกนะคะ เพราะตัวตนของไมเคิลไม่ได้เปลี่ยนแปลงไปเลยจากเล่มแรก เพียงแต่สายตาของคนอ่านที่มองตัวตนของเขาเปลี่ยนแปลงไปมากมายจากเล่มแรก
อย่างช้า ๆ เขาไม่ใช่ชายผู้สมบูรณ์แบบทุกอย่างอีกต่อไป ไมเคิลมีด้านมืด ความจริงเกี่ยวกับตัวเขาค่อย ๆ เปิดเผยออก เขาไม่ใช่มนุษย์ด้วยซ้ำ กลับเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นมาโดยลูซิเฟอร์เพื่อครอบครองโลก เพียงแต่แผนผิดพลาด และบัดนี้ไมเคิลเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่จะหยุดยั้งลูซิเฟอร์ได้
จากตอนจบในเรื่อง Demon Marked ในที่สุดไมเคิลก็ถูกปลดปล่อยออกจาก Frozen Field ซึ่งเป็นดินแดนที่ใช้ลงโทษวิญญาณที่ผิดคำพูดที่ให้ไว้กับปีศาจ ไมเคิลเสียสละตัวเองเพื่อสร้างความแข็งแรงให้กับ Frozen Field เพื่อหยุดยั้งลูซิเฟอร์จากการเปิดประตูสู่โลกโดยผ่านทางดินแดนเคออส (ถ้าอ่านแล้วงง ก็แสดงว่าไม่ได้อ่านเล่มก่อนหน้าในชุด ดังนั้นอย่างซีเรียสค่ะ เราแนะนำให้กลับไปอ่านก่อนนะคะ) แต่เมื่อถูกปล่อยออกมา วิญญาณของไมเคิลเหลือแต่แก่น ความรู้ผิดชอบชั่วดีได้หายไปหมดแล้ว และนี่ก็คือตัวตนของไมเคิลที่แอนโดรมีดรา เทย์เลอร์ได้เผชิญหน้า
แอนดี้ เทย์เลอร์ อดีตนายตำรวจสาวที่เข้าไปพัวพันกับเรื่องเหนือธรรมชาติอย่างช่วยไม่ได้ กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยนเพราะเสียสละชีวิตเพื่อปกป้องคู่หูจากความตาย และเธอคือคนที่ต่อเชื่อมทางจิตกับไมเคิลตลอดเวลาที่เขาถูกขังไว้ที่ Frozen Field ดังนั้นเธอจึงเป็นตัวเลือกที่ดีที่จะพาไมเคิลกลับสู่เหล่าการ์เดี้ยน หากแต่การเผชิญหน้ากันในนรก เมื่อเทย์เลอร์ได้เห็นตัวตนแท้จริงของไมเคิล มันทำลายทุกอย่างที่เธออาจจะรู้สึกต่อเขา และสร้างคำถามต่อความเชื่อที่เธอมี
เราชอบประเด็นนี้ในเรื่องมาก ๆ เพราะเราเริ่มต้นเรื่องด้วยการคิดว่า ไมเคิล "ดี" เกินไป แต่ในเล่มนี้ได้ท้าทายความคิดของเรา เขาไม่ได้เริ่มต้นด้วยการเป็นคนที่เขาเป็นในปัจจุบัน ทุกสิ่งย่อมมีวิวัฒนาการ และเราใช้คำนี้กับไมเคิล (แต่วิวัฒนาการของไมเคิลมันเกิดขึ้นและทำให้เขากลายเป็นคนอย่างที่เขาก่อนหน้าที่จะเริ่มต้นเล่มแรกในชุด) เขาถูกสร้างขึ้นมาโดยปีศาจ แก่นของเขาผูกพันกับดินแดนแห่งเคออส (เพราะพ่อของเขากินเนื้อมังกรเพื่อให้สามารถมีลูกกับมนุษย์ได้) ดังนั้นในส่วนลึกที่สุดไมเคิลไม่ใช่ "ความดี" หากแต่เป็นความกระหาย บ้าคลั่ง แต่เพราะความเข้มแข็งของเขา การสั่งสอนจากครอบครัว (ก่อนที่พ่อของเขาจะคืนสู่ตัวตนแท้จริง นั่นคือปีศาจ) และเทวทูตที่รอบกาย ไมเคิลเรียนรู้ และสร้างกรอบศีลธรรมให้กับตัวเอง เราพบว่า ตัวเองทึ่งกับแนวคิดนี้มาก ๆ บางสิ่งที่เริ่มต้นจาก "ความชั่วร้าย" กลายเป็นคนเพียงคนเดียวที่ปกป้องมนุษยชาติจากความชั่วร้ายที่แท้จริงได้
ในแง่ของคาแร็คเตอร์ แม้เราจะพบว่า ตัวเองเห็นว่า ไมเคิลมีความน่าสนใจมากขึ้น เราไม่ได้เกิดอาการคลั่งไคล้เขาเหมือนกับที่เราเป็นกับคาแร็คเตอร์บางตัวในชุดนี้ (คอลิน, เจค, และโรซาเลีย) อาจจะเพราะตัวตนของไมเคิลยิ่งใหญ่มากเสียจนเราอยู่ในอาการทึ่ง แบบเดียวกับที่เหล่าการ์เดี้ยนคนอื่น ๆ รู้สึก ในเรื่องคนแต่งบอกเล่าชีวิตของไมเคิลไม่ได้โดยละเอียด แต่มากพอทำให้เราเข้าใจเขา ไมเคิลกลายมาเป็นคนแบบที่เขาเป็นเพราะการเรียนรู้ บทเรียนจากเพื่อนมนุษย์ด้วยกัน คนที่เขาเป็นเมื่อสองพันปีก่อน ไม่ใช่ตัวตนของเขาในปัจจุบัน
และนั่นนำไปสู่ปัญหาใหญ่ของเขา เพื่อช่วยให้วิญญาณไมเคิลกลับร่าง คาวีห์หนึ่งในเพื่อนสนิทที่สุดของเขา คนที่คิดว่า รู้จัก "ธรรมชาติ" ของไมเคิลดีที่สุด ใช้วิธีการที่เธอเชื่อว่า จะประสบความสำเร็จ แต่ไมเคิลคนที่คาวีห์รู้จักคือเมื่อสองพันปีก่อน ไมเคิลคนนั้นจะทำทุกอย่างเพื่อกำจัดจุดอ่อนของตัวเอง จะไม่ดึงรั้งอะไรเอาไว้มากเกินความจำเป็น แต่ไมเคิลในปัจจุบันไม่ใช่ชายคนนั้นอีกต่อไป ดังนั้นการที่คาวีห์แยกจิตวิญญาณของไมเคิลออกจากเทย์เลอร์ จึงกลายเป็นคำสั่งประหารอย่างช้า ๆ จิตของไมเคิลที่ผูกพันกับเทย์เลอร์มากขนาดไม่อยากจากเธอไป ไม่ยอมรับร่างกาย และไมเคิลชายคนที่ไม่อาจถูกทำลายลงได้ กำลังจะตาย
เวลาเริ่มนับถอยหลัง ไม่เฉพาะสำหรับไมเคิล แต่เป็นโลกมนุษย์ของเราด้วย เพราะหลังจากพนัน ลูซิเฟอร์ล่าถอยกลับไปยังนรก สัญญาที่ทำคือลูซิเฟอร์จะไม่เปิดประตูนรกที่ต่อเชื่อมกับโลกมนุษย์ แต่สัญญาไม่ได้ครอบคลุมไปถึงการที่ลูซิเฟอร์จะบุกโลกมนูษย์ผ่านทางดินแดนเคออส และลูซิเฟอร์กำลังมา เหล่าการ์เดียนรู้ดี และพยายามทำทุกอย่างเพื่อยับยั้ง
เล่มนี้จึงเป็นจุดจบ เป็นตอนจบที่แท้จริง การเผชิญหน้าระหว่างความดี และความเลว การเสียสละ ความรัก ที่มากไปกว่านั้น พล็อตการสืบสวน การแกะเบาะแสแผนการของลูซิเฟอร์ เล่มนี้มีครบทุกอย่าง
เราไม่ได้ชอบเล่มนี้เฉพาะแค่ตัวของมันเอง ในฐานะที่เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของชุด เล่มนี้มีคุณค่าเพิ่มทวีคูณ เล่มนี้แสดงให้เห็นว่า คนแต่งได้วางแผนมาอย่างรัดกุมแค่ไหนในการสร้างตัวละคร และพล็อตเรื่องในแต่ละเล่มก่อนหน้า ทุกอย่างนำพาเมื่อเพื่อจุดจุดนี้
ตัวละครในเล่มก่อนหน้าออกมามีบทบาทกันอย่างพร้อมหน้า แต่ไม่มีแม้แต่วินาทีเดียวที่เราคิดว่า พวกเขามาเดินผ่านฉากเพื่อให้คนอ่านหายคิดถึง ทุกคนมีบทบาท และเป็นบทบาทที่พวกเขาเป็นในเล่มของตัวเอง การที่คอลินสามารถมองเห็นดินแดนเคออสผ่านกระจกได้ การที่ชาร์ลีและดริฟเตอร์สามารถปลดล็อคได้ทุกชนิด หรือแม้กระทั่งมุขตลกของการที่เจคเทเลพอร์ตไปหาไมเคิลหรือเทย์เลอร์ในยามที่ไม่เหมาะสมสักนิดเดียว ทุกอย่างเตือนให้เรานึกถึงคาแร็คเตอร์เหล่านี้ในเล่มของพวกเขา แต่ก็ไม่มากจนเกินหน้าเกินตาประเด็นหลักในเรื่อง
ก่อนหน้าที่จะเริ่มอ่าน เราตั้งคำถามความเหมาะสมของแอนดี้ เทย์เลอร์ในฐานะนางเอกของไมเคิล เราจำได้ว่า เมลจีน บรู๊คบอกว่า เธอรู้มาตั้งแต่ต้นว่า แอนดี้จะเป็นนางเอกของไมเคิล แต่บอกตามตรงนะคะ ในฐานะของแฟนที่ติดตามชุดนี้มาตลอด เราไม่รู้สึกว่า มันชัดเจนขนาดนั้น เรารู้สึกว่า มีอะไรบางอย่างระหว่างทั้งสอง แต่เมลจีนก็ไม่ได้เขียนให้ดูชัดขนาดนั้น แล้วเราก็ยังมีคำถามคาใจที่ว่า มีอะไรในตัวเทย์เลอร์ที่ดีพอที่จะคู่ควรกับไมเคิล ซึ่งเป็นตัวละครที่ยิ่งใหญ่มาก ๆ ได้ เธอเป็นแค่อดีตตำรวจที่กลายเป็นการ์เดี้ยน ถือว่าเป็นเด็กใหม่ในกลุ่ม และในหนังสือชุดที่คาแร็คเตอร์นางเอกแต่ละคนล้วนแต่น่าจดจำ (ลิลิธิ, ไอรีนา ,หรือคนที่เราชอบที่สุดโรซาเลีย) เทย์เลอร์จะเทียบกับพวกเธอได้ไหม
การอ่านเล่มนี้ทำให้เราได้รู้จักเธอมากขึ้น กระนั้นคำตอบของเราก็คงต้องยอมรับว่า เท��์เลอร์ไม่ใช่นางเอกที่อยู่ในดวงใจของเขาในชุด แต่นั่นไม่สำคัญ เพราะเรายอมรับความเหมาะสมของเธอกับไมเคิลได้ เราพบว่า เมื่ออ่านเรื่องนี้จบ เราไม่คิดว่าจะมีใครคู่ควรกับไมเคิลเท่ากับแอนโดรมีดรา เทย์เลอร์ ฉากที่ไมเคิลบรรยายความรู้สึกที่เขามีต่อเธอ เขาพูดถึงคุณลักษณะมากมายของเทย์เลอร์ คุณลักษณะที่ไม่ได้ทำให้เธอเป็นคนพิเศษเหนือผู้หญิงคนอื่น มันเป็นคุณลักษณะที่ไมเคิลเคยเจอมาก่อน สำหรับชายที่อยู่มายาวนานหลายพันปี เขาเจอทุกอย่างมาหมดแล้ว แต่การลงท้ายที่ว่า เขาไม่เคยเจอใครที่มีคุณลักษณะทั้งหมดนั่นในคนคนเดียว คือคำตอบที่ว่า ทำไมผู้หญิงคนนี้จึงเป็นทุกอย่างสำหรับเขา
เราชอบตอนจบมาก ๆ เมื่อเทวทูตไมเคิลปรากฎตัว กระทั่งการเลือกทูตสวรรค์ที่ลงมาพบก็มีความสำคัญ ตามคัมภีร์ เซ็นต์ไมเคิลคือคนที่ฆ่าลูซิเฟอร์ และไมเคิลของเราก็ถูกตั้งชื่อตามเขา ดังนั้นการที่เป็นคนที่เป็นคนลงมาพบไมเคิลและแอนดี้จึงลงตัวมาก ๆ ซึ่งก็เห็นได้ชัดว่า นั่นเป็นสิ่งที่เมลจีน บรู๊คตั้งใจ ฉากที่ไมเคิลตัดคอลูซิเฟอร เราอ่านในนึกถึงภาพ St. Michael the Archangel ที่วาดโดยกุยโด เรนี (ซึ่งอยู่ที่ Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins) แบบชัดเจนมาก
ยอมรับนะคะว่า ตอนจบเรื่องชุดนี้ดีแบบเกินจะเป็นไปได้ แต่เราขอเลือกตอนจบแบบนี้ค่ะ ที่สำคัญการเขียนเล่าเรื่องของเมลจีน ก็ทำให้เราเชื่อว่า เหล่าการ์เดี้ยนสามารถเอาชนะลูซิเฟอร์ได้โดยไม่สูญเสียใครไปเลยสักคนเดียว แผนการถูกเหล่าให้คนอ่านเข้าใจ และมันเป็นแผนการที่ฉลาดมาก ๆ (ทำให้เรานึกถึงการที่โรซาเลียจัดการกับเนฟิลิมในเรื่อง Demon Blood) แผนการดีพอที่จะทำให้บทสรุปเช่นนี้เป็นไปได้
นอกจากนี้คนแต่งยังตอบคำถามที่ทิ้งท้ายเอาไว้ในชุดจนหมด (เรานึกไม่ออกว่า มีประเด็นอะไรเหลือไว้อีก) กระทั่งเรื่องเล็กน้อย (แต่ใหญ่สำหรับเรา) เกี่ยวกับการที่ฮิวจ์กลายเป็นมนุษย์ก่อนลิลิธหลายสิบปี และเมื่อทั้งคู่กลายมาเป็นมนุษย์ก็มีโอกาสที่ฮิวจ์จะตายก่อนเธอ ในเรื่องมีฉากที่ลิลิธแสดงความอ่อนไหวในประเด็นนี้เอาไว้ (และทำให้เราดีใจมากที่เราไม่ใช่คนเดียวที่คิดถึงประเด็นนี้)
ปีนี้เราโชคดีนะคะ ได้อ่านหนังสือที่ถือว่าเป็น End Game ของหนังสือชุดที่เราชอบมาก ๆ สองเล่ม แม้ว่า Heart of Obsidian จะไม่ใช่เล่มสุดท้ายในชุด แต่ก็ถือว่าปิดประเด็นสำคัญมาก ๆ ที่เปิดเอาไว้ และก็มาถึงเล่มนี้ ส่วนหนึ่งเราดีใจนะคะที่จบชุด เพราะทุกอย่างลงตัวได้ดีมาก แต่ก็ใจหายเพราะนี่คือหนังสือชุดที่ดีที่สุดชุดนึงที่เราติดตามอ่านมาตลอดเจ็ดปี เราอยากให้เมลจีนเขียนต่อนะคะ อาจจะไม่ใช่ในภาพรวมพล็อตใหญ่ที่การ์เดี้ยนต้องต่อสู้กับลูซิเฟอร์ แต่เป็นเรื่องราวของพวกเขาหลังจากนั้น
การให้คะแนนวางอยู่บนพื้นฐานของเรื่องทั้งชุดค่ะ ในฐานะเล่มจบ เล่มนี้ตอบโจทย์ทุกอย่างที่เราอยากได้ ในฐานะเล่มเดี่ยว ๆ เล่มนี้อาจจะไม่ใช่เรื่องที่ดีที่สุดในชุดสำหรับเรา แต่มันคือองค์ประกอบที่สำคัญที่สุดของหนังสือชุดนี้
August 6, 2013
Much as I've enjoyed my reading in the last few years, it's been ages since I've been looking forward to a book so much that I actually considered taking a day off for it. We'd have to go back to the final Harry Potter, and now, Guardian Demon.
The Guardians series became, almost from the start, my favourite ongoing series, possibly my favourite series ever (again, only Harry Potter might rival it for the top spot). It's all been building up to the end, to Michael's book, and if it was going to be a fitting conclusion to it, it needed to be spectacular. Well, I'm very happy to report, it absolutely was.
Now, this is going to be a bit of a balancing act. The last thing I want to do is to spoil this for anyone, so since I'm posting this right on the release date, I'm going to keep this as spoiler-free as I can while explaining why I loved it so much, a bit cryptic at times. In fact, I'm not going to provide a plot summary at all. If you're reading this book, you should have read the previous ones, so all you need to know is that we get both a conclusion to the final confrontation between good and evil that's been brewing for so many books and Michael and Taylor's romance. The latter is definitely not an easy one, after some quite traumatic events at the start of the book which result in Taylor losing any trust in Michael.
Both are wonderfully done. One of the reasons I like this series is that the heroines are so complicated and strong in so many different ways, as beautifully explained by Brie in one of her Heroine Week posts. Andromeda Taylor certainly is that, but while in most of the earlier books in this series, I've felt that the heroines slightly edged out the heroes in sheer interestingness, in this one, Michael slightly edges it for me. He's just so amazingly and thoughtfully developed.
I actually never thought until a long way into the series, in Irena's book, that Michael would have his own story. He felt so inhuman, or more than human. And even after Demon Forged, when I went ohhh, I wondered whether we'd actually get his POV, or whether it would be a bit more old-school and have him be this mysterious, powerful hero. Well, we get to see inside his head, and I loved the way it was done. His humanisation was gradual and believable, I think because super-human or not, this is a man who really is involved in mankind.
In that sense, I couldn't help but compare Michael with Raphael, from Nalini Singh's Guild Hunters books. Raphael is another very well-developed so-old-he's-inhuman character, but he has become separated from humanity, passing judgment on humans and almost despising them. Michael is his opposite. After many years, he has developed a respect for humans and loves them, which is perfectly reflected in how his feelings for the Rules have developed over the centuries.
I thought his humanity was especially apparent in his relationship with Taylor. It's not so much the feelings he has for her, but how even though he's incredibly self-aware and painfully honest about himself, he can still fool himself. There's a scene with Lilith which particularly broke my heart. But his beyond-humanness was apparent in the romance as well, and it meant that his attitude towards sex feels absolutely right. Sex has long ceased to be a drive to Michael. His need for Andromeda is beyond sex. He wants her as well, but it's not about his own gratification, even if he does get gratification out of it. His love for Andromeda is about her essence, not so much about what she looks like. This made their relationship incredibly satisfying.
As the romance develops, and Michael is working hard to regain Taylor's confidence, things are also moving along on the plottier end of the scale, and the final confrontation comes even closer. There's tragedy even in the run-up to it, and it becomes obvious quite soon that this is not going to be an easy win. Brook makes you feel right in the gut that there are huge things at stake. And when the confrontation comes, it is epic and immensely satisfying.
And now I need to tread very carefully and be especially cryptic here. Let's just say that the only criticism I can make of this book is about the order certain things happen in the conclusion. I thought that if one particular area hadn't been resolved before the other, the emotional intensity and feeling of peril would have been even higher. As it was, resolving this issue filled the characters (and us) with a maybe a bit too much hope. I guess I think things would have been a lot angstier even more emotionally gut-wrenching if that hadn't been the case.
Still, I'm saying even more emotionally satisfying, because even with this criticism, I still thought the way things turned out worked amazingly well. I closed the book with a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and of a HEA very well-earned. There was also quite a bit of sadness that it was finally over, but that disappeared straight away when I turned right back to page 1 and started to reread it :)
MY GRADE: A solid A.
The Guardians series became, almost from the start, my favourite ongoing series, possibly my favourite series ever (again, only Harry Potter might rival it for the top spot). It's all been building up to the end, to Michael's book, and if it was going to be a fitting conclusion to it, it needed to be spectacular. Well, I'm very happy to report, it absolutely was.
Now, this is going to be a bit of a balancing act. The last thing I want to do is to spoil this for anyone, so since I'm posting this right on the release date, I'm going to keep this as spoiler-free as I can while explaining why I loved it so much, a bit cryptic at times. In fact, I'm not going to provide a plot summary at all. If you're reading this book, you should have read the previous ones, so all you need to know is that we get both a conclusion to the final confrontation between good and evil that's been brewing for so many books and Michael and Taylor's romance. The latter is definitely not an easy one, after some quite traumatic events at the start of the book which result in Taylor losing any trust in Michael.
Both are wonderfully done. One of the reasons I like this series is that the heroines are so complicated and strong in so many different ways, as beautifully explained by Brie in one of her Heroine Week posts. Andromeda Taylor certainly is that, but while in most of the earlier books in this series, I've felt that the heroines slightly edged out the heroes in sheer interestingness, in this one, Michael slightly edges it for me. He's just so amazingly and thoughtfully developed.
I actually never thought until a long way into the series, in Irena's book, that Michael would have his own story. He felt so inhuman, or more than human. And even after Demon Forged, when I went ohhh, I wondered whether we'd actually get his POV, or whether it would be a bit more old-school and have him be this mysterious, powerful hero. Well, we get to see inside his head, and I loved the way it was done. His humanisation was gradual and believable, I think because super-human or not, this is a man who really is involved in mankind.
In that sense, I couldn't help but compare Michael with Raphael, from Nalini Singh's Guild Hunters books. Raphael is another very well-developed so-old-he's-inhuman character, but he has become separated from humanity, passing judgment on humans and almost despising them. Michael is his opposite. After many years, he has developed a respect for humans and loves them, which is perfectly reflected in how his feelings for the Rules have developed over the centuries.
I thought his humanity was especially apparent in his relationship with Taylor. It's not so much the feelings he has for her, but how even though he's incredibly self-aware and painfully honest about himself, he can still fool himself. There's a scene with Lilith which particularly broke my heart. But his beyond-humanness was apparent in the romance as well, and it meant that his attitude towards sex feels absolutely right. Sex has long ceased to be a drive to Michael. His need for Andromeda is beyond sex. He wants her as well, but it's not about his own gratification, even if he does get gratification out of it. His love for Andromeda is about her essence, not so much about what she looks like. This made their relationship incredibly satisfying.
As the romance develops, and Michael is working hard to regain Taylor's confidence, things are also moving along on the plottier end of the scale, and the final confrontation comes even closer. There's tragedy even in the run-up to it, and it becomes obvious quite soon that this is not going to be an easy win. Brook makes you feel right in the gut that there are huge things at stake. And when the confrontation comes, it is epic and immensely satisfying.
And now I need to tread very carefully and be especially cryptic here. Let's just say that the only criticism I can make of this book is about the order certain things happen in the conclusion. I thought that if one particular area hadn't been resolved before the other, the emotional intensity and feeling of peril would have been even higher. As it was, resolving this issue filled the characters (and us) with a maybe a bit too much hope. I guess I think things would have been a lot angstier even more emotionally gut-wrenching if that hadn't been the case.
Still, I'm saying even more emotionally satisfying, because even with this criticism, I still thought the way things turned out worked amazingly well. I closed the book with a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and of a HEA very well-earned. There was also quite a bit of sadness that it was finally over, but that disappeared straight away when I turned right back to page 1 and started to reread it :)
MY GRADE: A solid A.
July 25, 2013
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/07/22/...
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.
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.
January 6, 2019
Totally enjoyed this final book in the Guardian series. Oh why did it have to end? Such a great story. I was trying to decide if it could be read standalone...maybe. You might be clueless as to some of the minor characters but the majority of the story is well enough explained.
January 8, 2014
I have so many feelings after reading this book. So many. The basic takeaway, though, is that I loved it. It was everything you could hope for the ending of an epic, awesome series, but so rarely get. The romance is exceptional. But beyond that, Meljean Brook does a masterful job of weaving together elements and characters from previous books to build a breathtaking climax and utterly satisfying conclusion.
If you haven’t read any books in this series, I urge you to start at the beginning. That’s actually kind of hard for me to say, because I didn’t love Demon Angel. But that is the origin for everything that builds moving forward. It sets the foundation for everything that happens, and while you could enjoy this book on its own, you’ll cry rainbow tears of joy if you read it as the series finale it’s meant to be.
Going into this book, it was tough to see how Brook was going to make the love story work. Michael has really put Taylor through the wringer. And frankly, as this installment begins, it gets worse before it gets better. After all, when we last saw Michael, he was a dragon flying around hell. He’s been eating the beasties there and generally being crazy after his time spent in the frozen field. Taylor needs to coax him back to his own body, so she can finally be free of his presence in her mind. Bad things happen.
Fast forward a bit and basically Taylor has to get over her Michael issues long enough to help the Guardians stop Lucifer’s plan to scorch the Earth. She is angry with him for all he has put her through… angry and terrified. But she has no idea the depths to which she has touched him. While in her mind, Michael fell head over heels for her, and he wants nothing more than to have her close; to savor every moment with her while it lasts. And it makes for one heck of romance.
One of the things I like so much about Michael is how he manages to maintain his “otherness” while still being so desirable. Brook never cops out and makes him a cookie-cutter anything. I believed in his ancientness, in how he has evolved over time. I was completely captivated by the reverence he held for Taylor. How he soaked in every single detail of her; how he needed her like air. I loved his gentleness, his patience. And I was heartbroken by his constant self-affirmations that every little scrap would be enough… that whatever time with her would be enough. But as readers, we know there is a countdown on their growing relationship, and moreover, we know no amount of time would be enough.
Taylor is fantastic as well. She has been through a lot and still retains her desire to make a difference in the world. I loved watching her fall in love with Michael. Their slow quest into a physical relationship was equal parts maddening and incendiary. There was so much sexual tension, but so much longing and fear and need too. It was sexy, but it was so emotionally charged as well. And when that countdown I was talking about approaches zero, you feel like someone is stomping all over your heart.
In the meantime, there is a mystery to solve surrounding Lucifer’s plan. Once the particulars come to light, we get the big showdown between good and evil we have been building toward since the beginning. It’s so… big. I love how Brook ties in all of the characters we have invested in all this time. We see how she has been building toward this with their storylines and their gifts. And the end is everything you want.
I loved it. (You should read it. Really.)
Rating: A
If you haven’t read any books in this series, I urge you to start at the beginning. That’s actually kind of hard for me to say, because I didn’t love Demon Angel. But that is the origin for everything that builds moving forward. It sets the foundation for everything that happens, and while you could enjoy this book on its own, you’ll cry rainbow tears of joy if you read it as the series finale it’s meant to be.
Going into this book, it was tough to see how Brook was going to make the love story work. Michael has really put Taylor through the wringer. And frankly, as this installment begins, it gets worse before it gets better. After all, when we last saw Michael, he was a dragon flying around hell. He’s been eating the beasties there and generally being crazy after his time spent in the frozen field. Taylor needs to coax him back to his own body, so she can finally be free of his presence in her mind. Bad things happen.
Fast forward a bit and basically Taylor has to get over her Michael issues long enough to help the Guardians stop Lucifer’s plan to scorch the Earth. She is angry with him for all he has put her through… angry and terrified. But she has no idea the depths to which she has touched him. While in her mind, Michael fell head over heels for her, and he wants nothing more than to have her close; to savor every moment with her while it lasts. And it makes for one heck of romance.
One of the things I like so much about Michael is how he manages to maintain his “otherness” while still being so desirable. Brook never cops out and makes him a cookie-cutter anything. I believed in his ancientness, in how he has evolved over time. I was completely captivated by the reverence he held for Taylor. How he soaked in every single detail of her; how he needed her like air. I loved his gentleness, his patience. And I was heartbroken by his constant self-affirmations that every little scrap would be enough… that whatever time with her would be enough. But as readers, we know there is a countdown on their growing relationship, and moreover, we know no amount of time would be enough.
Taylor is fantastic as well. She has been through a lot and still retains her desire to make a difference in the world. I loved watching her fall in love with Michael. Their slow quest into a physical relationship was equal parts maddening and incendiary. There was so much sexual tension, but so much longing and fear and need too. It was sexy, but it was so emotionally charged as well. And when that countdown I was talking about approaches zero, you feel like someone is stomping all over your heart.
In the meantime, there is a mystery to solve surrounding Lucifer’s plan. Once the particulars come to light, we get the big showdown between good and evil we have been building toward since the beginning. It’s so… big. I love how Brook ties in all of the characters we have invested in all this time. We see how she has been building toward this with their storylines and their gifts. And the end is everything you want.
I loved it. (You should read it. Really.)
Rating: A
August 9, 2013
Sometimes it’s not easy to write a review. When it’s the last book in a beloved series is one of these times. When you wait (not so patiently) for this book for about two years, doesn’t make it any easier. And when the author is so talented makes it almost impossible! But the time is here and I have to write my review. And I hope that my review will make you want to read and re-read this series from the beginning until the end.
Just a few words that come to my mind right now, almost four hours since I finished reading “Guardian Demon”. Emotions, pain, loss, sadness, desire, good, evil, hate, love. Take all these words and you’ll have the whole story in the Guardians series. The author managed to create characters with such depth and with continuous development that never fail to surprise us. It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived for eight thousand years or for thirty. The lessons of life are for everyone. Each and everyone in this series knows about loss and about love. Even the evil.
But let’s say some things about the story. There is no question that this book has more action than the previous ones. It’s the time of the final battle. Although this book is enormous, I have to admit that it has the perfect balance between action and romance. So, it’s time for Michael and Taylor and for the battle between good and evil. I have to say that Michael and Taylor are two of the most different characters ever. And that’s why I believe that they make a very interesting couple. It wasn’t my first thought until the first half of the book, but then I understood them better.
I can’t say that Taylor was an easy character, but nothing is easy with this book. At the beginning she saw everything as black or white and it was a long way to see that everything is truly gray. In order to see that, she experienced a lot of pain both physical and emotional. Also, it wasn’t easy for her to trust people but when she trusted them she was the person that they could rely on. Her character had maybe the greatest development in the whole series and although there were times that I found her judgmental, I was glad to see that at the end she learned her lesson very well.
Michael… The proof that even if you live for eight thousand years, you will still have a lot to learn and to feel. His journey was long and painful. He learned what true love is and how important is to live five more minutes. He was thousand years old and now he learned what life is. He is a very different alpha male. Powerful and with his age as his advantage, he’s the kind of man who will explain you everything in such a way that you will doubt yourself. I loved the desperation he felt during the second half of the book, because this desperation made him feel more human.
I cried a lot with this book. Also, I learned a lot. And that’s why this book was amazing. It wasn’t just a romance. It wasn’t just an adventure. It wasn’t just a philosophical journey. But it was all the above. And I loved it!
Amazing world-building, great plot, some of the most interesting characters in a series. Do you want more?? As you can guess, I totally recommend this book!
Just a few words that come to my mind right now, almost four hours since I finished reading “Guardian Demon”. Emotions, pain, loss, sadness, desire, good, evil, hate, love. Take all these words and you’ll have the whole story in the Guardians series. The author managed to create characters with such depth and with continuous development that never fail to surprise us. It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived for eight thousand years or for thirty. The lessons of life are for everyone. Each and everyone in this series knows about loss and about love. Even the evil.
But let’s say some things about the story. There is no question that this book has more action than the previous ones. It’s the time of the final battle. Although this book is enormous, I have to admit that it has the perfect balance between action and romance. So, it’s time for Michael and Taylor and for the battle between good and evil. I have to say that Michael and Taylor are two of the most different characters ever. And that’s why I believe that they make a very interesting couple. It wasn’t my first thought until the first half of the book, but then I understood them better.
I can’t say that Taylor was an easy character, but nothing is easy with this book. At the beginning she saw everything as black or white and it was a long way to see that everything is truly gray. In order to see that, she experienced a lot of pain both physical and emotional. Also, it wasn’t easy for her to trust people but when she trusted them she was the person that they could rely on. Her character had maybe the greatest development in the whole series and although there were times that I found her judgmental, I was glad to see that at the end she learned her lesson very well.
Michael… The proof that even if you live for eight thousand years, you will still have a lot to learn and to feel. His journey was long and painful. He learned what true love is and how important is to live five more minutes. He was thousand years old and now he learned what life is. He is a very different alpha male. Powerful and with his age as his advantage, he’s the kind of man who will explain you everything in such a way that you will doubt yourself. I loved the desperation he felt during the second half of the book, because this desperation made him feel more human.
I cried a lot with this book. Also, I learned a lot. And that’s why this book was amazing. It wasn’t just a romance. It wasn’t just an adventure. It wasn’t just a philosophical journey. But it was all the above. And I loved it!
Amazing world-building, great plot, some of the most interesting characters in a series. Do you want more?? As you can guess, I totally recommend this book!
Want to read
May 18, 2013Finally! Since Falling for Anthony, I have been harbouring Guardian books like a squirrel shoving nuts in its gob for the coming winter. I couldn't read any until the series complete because I just can't handle anticipation.
(Yes, I'm the sort that refuses to watch a critically acclaimed TV series until a series is completed. I just don't like sitting there after an episode ends, thinking "Next one will be on next week? Sod next week! I want it now. Who do I have to talk to to get a copy of next week's episode?" while forgetting I'm not that powerful, well-connected or rich. Note: I blame this sense of entitlement on those childhood years of watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I digress.)
There have been times I worried the Guardian series would continue right up to when I'm old enough to enjoy beingan unpaid babysitter a grandmother. During those moments, I was seriously tempted to break my vow. The kind where I stood front of the Guardian shelf while thinking: "Read it! Don't read it! Read it! Don't read it!" until the temptation got bored and left. Rather dramatic but it's a true story, I assure you.
I'm glad I didn't give in because this summer, I can finally inhale the entire series in one go like a rabid cat after a fast car. It's probably going to be bumpy, but it will be fun.
(Yes, I'm the sort that refuses to watch a critically acclaimed TV series until a series is completed. I just don't like sitting there after an episode ends, thinking "Next one will be on next week? Sod next week! I want it now. Who do I have to talk to to get a copy of next week's episode?" while forgetting I'm not that powerful, well-connected or rich. Note: I blame this sense of entitlement on those childhood years of watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I digress.)
There have been times I worried the Guardian series would continue right up to when I'm old enough to enjoy being
I'm glad I didn't give in because this summer, I can finally inhale the entire series in one go like a rabid cat after a fast car. It's probably going to be bumpy, but it will be fun.
July 18, 2014
A stellar finish to one of my absolute favorite paranormal series. Finishing this book was bittersweet for me... it was wonderfully written with a tight plot both for its specific story line as well as the overall series plot arc, but at the same time, I'm so sad to see this series end. The world building is complex and tight, the characters so real and well developed, the action intense and suspenseful and the relationships and romances are so well written. Never a disappointment, impressed as always. I will miss this world and the characters.
December 7, 2013
Though I'm sad to see the series end, I have to admit this was the perfect way to close it. Michael didn't disappoint. As much as I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story, I was really drawn in by the final battle between the Guardians and the Demons. A dramatic and stunning conclusion to the series.
June 4, 2016
“At the thought of it, all of the heavens couldn’t contain his rage. She was his. How dare anything ever take her away?
Michael would never allow it.”
Where do I get my own Michael?
I haven't been able to find a nice read in a while, and I am just SO HAPPY I found this book bec it is everything i wanted, needed and more!
Michael is definitely on my top 5 heroes shelf!!!
Michael would never allow it.”
Where do I get my own Michael?
I haven't been able to find a nice read in a while, and I am just SO HAPPY I found this book bec it is everything i wanted, needed and more!
Michael is definitely on my top 5 heroes shelf!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews