Flora Reviews… In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians #3.5) by Dianne Duvall
Read: 26th March 2015
Re-Read: 3rd July 2018
Format: Kindle
My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
So what’s In Still Darkness about?
In Still Darkness is a novella (approx 126 pages) in Ms Duvall’s popular Immortal Guardians Series. Currently 7 novels plus 2 novellas. It’s a paranormal romance tale that could sit happily on an urban fantasy shelf due to some of the content. The setting for the series is modern day North Carolina, USA and features a new twist on the vampire genre.
Immortal or Vampire – What’s the difference?
Immortals and vampires are both infected with the same virus, which lends them dramatically increased strength, speed, healing capabilities and enhanced senses. Vampires are humans who have been infected, whereas immortals are gifted ones who have been infected. Gifted ones are men and women who were born with extremely advanced DNA that lends them special gifts, such as healing, telepathy, precognition and the like. Vampires rapidly descend into madness when the virus damages their brains but Immortals don’t; their advanced DNA protects them from that aspect of the virus.
I hate spoilers. So when I write a review, it’s more about the author’s style rather than what happens in the book.
The Synopsis
Originally published in “Predatory”
In Dianne Duvall’s world of Immortal Guardians, the stakes for mortals are high, but the cost especially to the heart might be higher.
It’s not the first time Immortal Guardian Richart d’Alencon has saved a human life from eternal damnation. Usually, he moves on, a nameless savior like a ghost in the night. But this time he can’t seem to forget the woman who rewarded him with a sensuous kiss after he rescued her from a trio of vampires. While Richart knows that loving a human can only bring trouble, the taste of forbidden lust is too great to resist.
Jenna never imagined she’d end up a single mom working overtime to put her son through school. But she might have day-dreamed once that a devastatingly gorgeous Frenchman would sweep her off her feet. Now that a package of tall, dark, and handsome seems intent on doing just that, doctors are telling her she may not have long to live. But Richart is telling her just the opposite. All she has to do is abandon her humanity.
Includes a special sneak peek of Night Unbound
So, what did I like about In Still Darkness?
I have become a definite fan of Ms Duvall’s writing style and find her books very easy to read. She writes intelligent, engaging stories with a collection of well written characters. All within an imaginative world that mixes fantasy and reality creating a world that I can believe in. The pace of her stories is usually fast and full of action without being disorienting. I like that she combines a couple of plot lines to run alongside the main romantic story arc.
Although, In Still Darkness is a novella, it didn’t let me down.
My regular followers will know that I enjoy stories where the characters are not black or white, good or evil but a multifaceted mix of positive and negative traits. I like to see them grow through embracing or overcoming these hurdles. Jenna is human but Richart is not. He’s been written with personality traits that we can see in the real world around us which adds credibility to this fantasy tale.
In fact, I liked the way that all of the characters in this story were written. Even the villainous vampires. None of them were flat 2-dimensional creations, they all felt very real.
Oh, and like most Brits I do love a bit of banter and this story has plenty of it! I found myself COL (Chuckling Out Loud) throughout, especially in scenes that featured Richart’s second, Sheldon!
This novella was fantastic. I thought it was a great way to let us into the secret relationship between Richart and Jenna. Plus I loved the fact that we experienced some scenes and situations that we’ve already read in the previous book from a different perspective, i.e. Richart’s or Jenna’s.
This novella still gave me all the feels that I love. I was giggling at all the banter and humour. The action definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. While the romance between Richart and Jenna made me warm and fuzzy and the passion set my tummy a-tingling. *oooh*
So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?
The timeframe for this one takes place over Night Reigns (book 2) and Phantom Shadows (book 3).
Ms Duvall tries to ensure her new readers aren’t lost. Pertinent information is weaved beautiful into this story without slowing the pace. Plus the romance aspect of the tale between Richart and Jenna is concluded by the end of the story. Ms Duvall’s signature HEA style.
However, I’m unsure whether In Still Darkness can be read as a standalone story. I feel that s with most series, you miss stuff when jumping in cold or reading books out of order. For example, the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships and ongoing plot lines.
So, basically what I’m saying is…
I didn’t want to stop reading this novella and devoured it in one sitting!
In Still Darkness had everything that I look for in a great story. Intelligent writing style that’s easy to read. Main characters with depth of personality that feel real. Depth of character in the supporting cast. Believable background story and setting. And finally, a good balanced mix of scenes; relationship, romance, action, humour and sex. But what’s so special, is that all this was achieved in a NOVELLA!!
Content Warning:
This book has sexual scenes, violence, colourful vocabulary and expletives throughout the story. Therefore, I’d only recommend it to adults who are not offended by content of this sort.
I’d recommend In Still Darkness to adults who enjoy love stories. Readers who want charismatic heroes and independent capable heroines. Plots with tense and traumatic scenes as well as the romance and passion.
Has my review of IN STILL DARKNESS (IMMORTAL GUARDIANS #3.5) encouraged you to find out more? Click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself. Keep reading to find out more about the series and Dianne Duvall.
The Immortal Guardians series by Dianne Duvall
Immortal Guardians series sits in the paranormal romance genre. However, it could also sit happily on an urban fantasy shelf due to much of the content. Set in our modern human world, it features a new twist on the vampire genre.
Immortals and vampires are both infected with the same virus, which lends them dramatically increased strength, speed, healing capabilities and enhanced senses. Vampires are humans who have been infected, whereas Immortals are Gifted Ones who have been infected. Gifted Ones are men and women who were born with extremely advanced DNA that lends them special gifts, such as healing, telepathy, precognition and the like. Vampires rapidly descend into madness when the virus damages their brains but Immortals don’t; their advanced DNA protects them from that aspect of the virus.
Books in the Series
If you haven’t read any of the series yet, it’s never too late to start your adventure with these gripping alpha heroes and truly awesome heroines. Follow the links to read my reviews or buy your own copy.
- Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1) (2011)
- Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, #2) (2011)
- Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians, #3) (2012)
- In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #3.5) (2014)
- Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians, #4) (2013)
- Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians, #5) (2014)
- Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians, #5.5) (2016)
- Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians, #6) (2015)
- Blade of Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #7) (2017)
- Awaken the Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #8) (2018)
- Death of Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #9) (2019)
- Broken Dawn (Immortal Guardians, #10) (2020)
- Cliff’s Descent (Immortal Guardians #11) (2021)
- An Immortal Guardians Companion (2021)
Buy any of these stories in print, digital and audio formats from all the usual sources including;
Amazon* ¦ Audible* ¦ Book Depository* ¦ Foyles* ¦ Waterstones*
About The Author
Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series, the Aldebarian Alliance sci‐fi romance series, and The Gifted Ones medieval and time‐travel romance series. The Lasaran, the first book in the Aldebarian Alliance Series, was a #1 Audible Mover & Shaker. The Segonian, the second book in the Aldebarian Alliance Series, was a Barnes&Noble Top Indie Favorite. Audible chose Awaken the Darkness as one of the Top 5 Best Paranormal Romance Audiobooks of 2018. Reviewers have called Dianne’s books “fast-paced and humorous” (Publishers Weekly), “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews), “extraordinary” (Long and Short Reviews), and “wonderfully imaginative” (The Romance Reviews). Dianne’s books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards. And her audiobooks have been awarded the AudioFile Earphones Award for Excellence.
Dianne’s books have all appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and/or Kobo Bestseller lists. The first book in Dianne’s The Gifted Ones series, A Sorceress of His Own, is a prequel of sorts to Darkness Dawns. A USA Today bestseller, A Sorceress of His Own is a medieval romance with paranormal elements that was awarded the AudioFile Earphones Award for Excellence and was an Audie Finalist. The second book in the series, Rendezvous With Yesterday, is a time travel romance that won the GraveTells Readers’ Choice Award for Best Historical Romance.
In addition to writing romance, Dianne has completed a one-act play (comedy) and teamed up with an award-winning screenwriter to write a spec script for a new situation comedy. Several of her poems have also been published in anthologies.
When she isn’t writing, Dianne is very active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the psychotic vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com or sign up for her Newsletter. You can also find Dianne online . . .
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Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Now, go and add In Still Darkness to your wish list. 😉
I really LOVE this series and already have Dianne Duvall on my list of amazing authors. Click HERE to see who else she’s with.
Flora x
One reply on “Review: In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians #3.5) by Dianne Duvall”
[…] originally reviewed In Still Darkness waaay back in 2018 and gave it top marks. Nothing in the story niggled my sensibilities, made me roll my eyes or […]