Edge of DawnAuthor: Lara Adrian
Release Date: Feb. 26, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Midnight Breed #11
ISBN: #978-0345532602
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Hardcover (300 pgs)
Book Source: Author/ NetGalley
About the book: |
Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn-when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them-the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.
Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift-and even lethal-justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.
Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again-or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides-between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.
What I’m talking about: |
After leaving readers with one hell of an ending in last year’s Darker After Midnight, Ms. Adrian revamps (pun intended) and restarts her wonderful Midnight Breed Series with the eleventh installment, Edge of Dawn. Long-time fans of the series are thrusted twenty years into the future, to a world where humans have discovered the Breed, and a tenuous peace keeps the planet from more years of war. First-time readers to the series will find this an appropriate place to start since so much is new (but really, it’s an awesome series – go back to the beginning!)
Our story opens in Boston, with the (new) Order back in the original Breed’s stomping ground. The reader quickly gets a taste of what life is like after “First Dawn,” when the world learned that vampires (aka Breed) do exist. We are reacquainted with a weathered and roughened adult Mira and several new Order recruits, included the offspring of some of the original Breed characters. Although Mira is technically human, she is a Breedmate (human female capable of long-term mating with a Breed male) and after being raised by Breed, thinks of herself as one. She’s got a huge chip on her shoulder, and still carries the weight of losing her best friend and love, Kellan, over eight years ago.
It is evident from the start that Mira is a loose cannon and has been disciplined for aggressive and reckless behavior. After messing up yet again, Breed leader Lucan Thorne assigns her to accompany a high-profile, young inventor from the Boston area to Washington, DC for an award. Unfortunately, before even leaving his home, Mira and Jeremy Ackmeyer are kidnapped by human rebels lead by none other than the presumed deceased Kellan Archer.
Ah! Where do I even begin with this review?! First of all, I completely love the direction that Ms. Adrian has taken her series. I will admit that it was hard to adjust to and read for the first parts of the book. It was good, but there was a lot of information to digest. Also, I was actually sad to know that I’ve missed all the battles and development of the current Breed/Human accordance. But mostly, I was sad that I missed seeing the next generation grow up into adults.
The overall storyline dealing with inventor Jeremy Ackmeyer and whether or not he willing helped create technology to kill Breeds is a good one. I was constantly wondering what the truth was and where the real power lies. The multi-layered plot was reminiscent of those involving Drago from earlier Midnight Breed stories.
I really liked Mira. She’s tough, misunderstood and has a heart of gold. She feels like so much as gone against her, but tries to maintain true to the purpose of The Order. She has a lot of integrity, and I admired how she dealt with all of the changes around her.
On the other hand, I was not a big fan of Kellan. Let’s face it… the guy was a jerk. He pretended to be dead for eight years, but stayed close enough to Mira to keep tabs on her. He saw how sad she was and how her life was going downhill, yet he continued to lead the human rebels and work against The Order. I didn’t find his reasons worthy nor his passion to help the humans justified.
Based on my feelings about Kellan, it was difficult for me to buy into Mira and Kellan’s relationship and love for one another. Also it didn’t help that we missed their early years together, growing up and falling in love. These disconnects prevented me from jumping into their relationship with two feet.
My heart broke when Mira came face-to-face with Kellan after those long years apart, and I was upset that he didn’t just let her walk away – pulling her into his world for his own selfish reasons. Their reunion sex was hot, but I couldn’t get into it emotionally. The scene was well written, but my heart and head couldn’t get past the fact that he walked away, and he left her to suffer for eight years. It didn’t matter to me that he missed her or that he didn’t take another. Then, once reunited, he kept giving her pieces of himself and then shutting the door on her. I understand that Mira allowed it all to play out as it did, but emotionally, I was upset.
With that said, I did eventually come about on my feelings towards Mira and Kellan. As the pair spent more time together, I began to fall for the couple as well. There was one scene in particular when Mira did something that put her own health in danger, that was well written and expertly played on my emotions. And as Kellan came to terms with the path ahead of him, my heart melted.
I enjoyed several of the new characters, but most particularly, Nathan, who isn’t technically new, but is part of the new Order. His passion for doing what is right and the emotional turbulence he experienced as he discovered the truth was marvelous. His friendship with Mira was touching. I’m hoping his book will be next, especially after that kiss he shared with Jordana!
Finally, the story has a pretty interesting twist at the end that I didn’t necessarily see coming. This twist sets the direction for the upcoming books, and I am excited to learn more about the exciting mythology that Ms. Adrian has developed.
Overall, Edge of Dawn is a thrilling and wonderful story, with a good but not great romance. Although Kellan and Mira as a pair grew on me as the story developed, the fact that Kellan left Mira and let her think he was dead for so long, then planned on leaving her again after their reunion, just made it hard for me to love him. I enjoyed the new mythology and introduction of new characters and future bad guys. I am very hopeful and excited to see how Ms. Adrian will reinvent and enhance one of my favorite paranormal series.
My Rating: |
Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
*deep breath* I”m nervous to read this one now… Maybe I’ll put it on my personal TBR pile and get to it when I think I”m ready. The end of the last Midnight Breed book nearly killed me. I wasn’t ready for that type of wrap-up, and I don’t know whether I”m ready to wedge it in somewhere.
Thank you for your thoughts… you KNOW I’m always eager to read new MB titles… this makes me want to read it, but to carefully choose my timing. 🙂
Vampbard: as one of the women who introduced MB to me… thank you! Don’t be nervous… It’s a good story, but I do think it’s going to take a book or two to grow into the newness, if that makes sense. There are some great moments involving the older gang of the Order as well.
[…] The Midnight Breed Series Companion Reviews in the Series: Taken by Midnight (Book 8) Deeper Than Midnight (Book 9) A Taste of Midnight (Book 9.5) Darker After Midnight (Book 10) Edge of Dawn (Book 11) […]