Book Review: Hunt the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
Title: Hunt the Darkness
Series: Guardians of Eternity #11
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Age Group: ADULT
Genre Type: Paranormal Romance
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Pages: 400, Format: eARC
Source: Publisher / NetGalley
Publisher: Zebra / Kensington Books
SUMMARY:
The vampire, Roke, is raw, sensual, always in control. Yet somehow he's allowed the unthinkable to happen: a nymph-like witch named Sally has used her magic to trick Roke into mating with her. The pair will remain bound for eternity unless Sally breaks the spell. The trouble is, she has no idea how. . .
Mating with Roke was an accident; at least that's what Sally keeps telling herself. She's on the hunt for her demon father, whose identity holds the key to releasing the spell. The search won't be easy with Roke shadowing Sally's every move. As they mate with a ferocity that leaves them both aching for more, Sally isn't sure if her world is more dangerous without Roke—or with him. . .
Review
When I see Alexandra Ivy's name, I know I'm going to be entering a fun, well-done paranormal world with a fantastic, sensuous romance. I'm happy to say that if you have not read all the series, or missed some books here and there, the way Alexandra writes her stories, it's easy to follow along and she recaps her back stories well. So, you never really feel lost. Don't be afraid of the number #11. Hunt the Darkness can be read alone and still be enjoyable, of course it's always fun to read about favorite characters making appearances and the overall world just continues to grow for fans.
Our Heroine: Sally Grace is in BIG trouble with a capital T. Being a half witch and half demon isn't all that it's cracked up to be. After using her magic and inadvertently, okay, it was on purpose, created a mating spell between herself and Roke, the ultra-sexy vampire, Sally needs to reverse the bond ASAP. As readers learned in the previous novel, Sally was held hostage by Roke while the Guardians of Eternity battled the Dark Lord (Very Bad Guy). Used as a pawn by the Dark Lord for her magical powers, Sally was caught and held hostage by the Guardians. What's a good witch suppose to do when she has a seriously angry, ultra sexy vampire as her keeper? Use a little magic of course. Only she screwed up. Big time.
"Why are you following me?"
His beautiful eyes simmered a perfect silver in the moonlight.
Of course, everything about him was perfect, she acknowledged with a renegade rush of awareness.
The exquisitely carved features. The dark hair that was silky smooth. The hard, chiseled body that should only be possible with Photoshop.
And the raw, sexual magnetism that pulsed in the air around him.
There wasn't a woman alive who wouldn't secretly wish he'd handcuff her to the nearest bed.
A pity he was a cold-hearted vampire who would happily kill her if her magic hadn't tied them together as mates.
Our Hero: Roke, who's a leader of vampires and member of The Guardians of Eternity, can't believe the tiny, innocent looking witch he was guarding, okay, she was his hostage, inadvertently cast a spell on him. And, not just any spell, but a mating spell. As Roke tries to come to terms with the fact that he could be stuck with Sally until she can break the spell, her life is threatened by a dangerous enemy. The need to protect her as well as his growing desires escalates while enemies threaten to take Sally away. To break the curse they must first discover who her father is, fight off dangerous enemy demons, and decipher a strange Fae glyph left as a message for Sally. Only now, Roke is not so sure he wants to be free of her.
"Do you have any idea what you did to me when you disappeared?"
"Sally, whether this mating is some demon magic of not, it feels real to me," he rasped. "To have you disappear..." He shuddered, revealing the genuine pain he'd been forced to endure. "Christ."
The Odd-Ball: Levet is a three-foot, French speaking gargoyle who ends up being Rokes sidekick in his search for Sally who adds some fun and humorous moments in Hunt the Darkness. As a minor character, I had many moments of laughing and smiling due to this tiny gargoyle.
Levet grabbed his back pocket. "Where are you going?"
Roke didn't miss a step as swatted the pest away. "To get my mate."
"I do not believe that is a good idea."
"Thankfully I don't give a shit what you think."
"Tres bien," the gargoyle sniffed. "You are the panty boss."
"Bossy-pants, you idiot, Roke muttered, heading directly for the back door.
The Swoon and Swagger: The romance between Roke and Sally is filled with tantalizing chemistry. Both are strong-willed, and there's plenty of sexual tension. There's a tug-of-war going on between these two as they try to fight their desire for each other. Sally is feisty, strong and independent in nature. I loved her fierce determination in the story, yet she is also vulnerable. Roke is a mix of sweet, tantalizing and sexy. He's also arrogant and frustrating. A hunter that knows how to pursue something he wants. And, he wants Sally. I loved how these two clash and come together, slowly finding out that they are actually perfect mates for each other.
"Witches don't mate," she muttered.
"Perhaps not, but demons do." His thumb skimmed down her cheek to tease the corner of her mouth. "And you, my love, are most definitely demon."
Their eyes clashed. The air sizzled with that ever-ready hunger.
His thumb slipped between her lips...and just that quickly, she was desperate for his kiss.
Happily Ever After: With Hunt the Darkness author Alexandra Ivy has once again created a paranormal that is filled with action and danger. The plot moves quickly as enemies threaten, mysteries are solved, and secrets revealed. This is Alexandra Ivy's eleventh book in the Guardians of Eternity series, and she continues to bring to her readers what they crave: A paranormal romance with a strong heroine and a irresistible, sexy alpha-hero to swoon for. There's tons of sexual tension and sensuous romance to heat the pages. And, let's not forget the villainous bad guys to boo for. But, most of all Alexandra Ivy gives us readers a fascinating world and plot that ends with the happily ever after we love, leaving us smiling and well satisfied.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars. I really liked it!
PLEASE NOTE: A courtesy review copy of this book was provided by Zebra / Kensington Books in exchange for my fair review. Thank you Zebra / Kensington Books for the review opportunity!
Notable Scene: Roke is about to finally catch up with Sally after she placed the mating spell on him and disappeared.
"What the hell?"
Levet waddled forward, his wings twitching as he studied Roke with open curiosity.
"A magical snare. Sacrebleu. I've never seen one so strong."
Roke flashed fangs, futilely struggling to escape.
Damn, but he hated magic.
"Why didn't you warn me?" he snarled.
"I did," the gargoyle huffed in outrage. "I told you it was a bad idea."
Okay, he hated magic and gargoyles.
"You didn't tell me there was a trap."
"You are chasing a powerful witch. What did you expect?"
The damn beast dared to smile.
"Besides, it's such a fine spell. It would have been a pity to spoil Sally's fun."
"I swear, gargoyle, when I get out of here-"
"Are all vampires so bad-tempered, or is it just you?" A light voice demanded, the scent of peaches drenching the air.
Roke swallowed a groan, a complex mixture of fury, lust, and savage relief surging through him. None of it showed on his face as he turned to study the tiny female with shoulder-length hair that was a blend of red tresses streaked with gold. She had pale, almost fragile features with velvet brown eyes and lips that begged to be kissed.
"Hello, my love," he said in a low husky voice. "Did you miss me?"
