Review: Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians #5.5) by Dianne Duvall

Flora Reviews… Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians #5.5) by Dianne Duvall

Read: 6^th – 7^th September 2016

Re-Read: 3^rd – 4^th July 2018

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

So what’s this book about?

Phantom Embrace is a novella (approx 118 pages) in Ms Duvall’s popular Immortal Guardians Series. Currently 7 novels plus 2 novellas. It’s a paranormal romance tale that I think 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.

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

Across dimensions . . .

A gifted one, Yuri Sokolov was born with the ability to see spirits, but he knows better than to make contact with them. Yet he’s never seen one as lovely as Cat Seddon, the woman who haunts his home and his dreams. But amid their star-crossed love, a new danger may have Yuri facing a different kind of eternity.

Previously published in On the Hunt.

So, what did I like about it?

I am a 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 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 and I like that she combines a couple of plot lines to run alongside the main romantic story arc. Although Phantom Embrace is a novella and the plots not as numerous as her full novels, I was just as engaged.

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 and I like to see them grow through embracing or overcoming these hurdles; Cat is a ghost and Yuri is an Immortal Guardian but the fact that they have been written with personality traits that we can see in the real world around us – even though they are mythical, paranormal beings – adds believability to this fantasy tale.

I loved this novella and thought it was a great way to let us into the secret, and rather unique relationship between Yuri and Cat 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. Yuri’s or Cat’s. Phantom Embrace had tears trailing down my face a few times, the action definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, the blossoming romance made me warm and fuzzy, the banter put a smile on my face and the passion set my tummy a-tingling. *ooohyesss*

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

The story within this novella takes place during the time-frame of the 5^th novel Night Unbound. The romance aspect of the tale between Yuri and Cat is concluded by the end of this book in Ms Duvall’s signature HEA style.

We meet characters from the previous books and there are references to past adventures. Ms Duvall tries to make sure any new readers aren’t lost. Weaving pertinent information into this story without slowing the pace.

However, I wonder that as with most series, would you miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships and ongoing plot lines if you jump in cold or read the book out of order plus

As with most series, there are background story arcs that are left to continue into subsequent books.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

Phantom Embrace had everything that I look for in a great story wrapped up in a novella package. It ticked all my boxes: Intelligent writing style that’s easy to read. Main characters with depth of personality that I can believe. Plausible background story and setting. As well as a good balanced mix of scenes; relationship, romance, action and passion.

I didn’t want to stop reading this novella!

I’d recommend Phantom Embrace to die-hard romantics. Readers who like strong alpha heroes and heroines with gumption. Plus lots of action alongside beautiful romance and plenty of titillation.

Has my review of PHANTOM EMBRACE (IMMORTAL GUARDIANS #5.5) 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 its author.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Now, go and add Phantom Embrace 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