Review: Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians #6) by Dianne Duvall

Flora Reviews… Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians #6) by Dianne Duvall

So what’s Shadow Strike about?

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This series is paranormal romance. However, 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.

So, what did I like about Shadows Strike?

I really like Dianne Duvall’s writing style and find her books very easy to read. Although not so easy to put down! Lol! She writes intelligent, engaging stories with a collection of well written characters. Then sets them in an imaginative world that cleverly mixes fantasy and reality. Making it so easy to submerse oneself completely. The pace of her stories is usually fast, full of action and contains a couple of plot lines running alongside the main romantic story arc. However, fear not lovely readers, she manages to pack this all in without making you feel overwhelmed, bewildered or lost.

Shadows Strike did not let me down.

So, you know that I enjoy books where the characters are not black or white, good or evil but a multifaceted mix of positive and negative traits. Well, most of the characters within these pages are like this. The fact that they’ve been written with personalities that we can see in the real world around us adds that level of believability to this fantasy tale. Even though most of them here are mythical, paranormal beings. Like most avid readers, I need to see character development through a story. Having to embrace qualities in themselves that they hate and/or having to overcome challenges be it emotional, social or physical. Goodness me, there’s certainly enough personal growth evident in quite a few characters within this story to satisfy me.

When the lead female character is intelligent, resilient and has a good sense of humour, I engage with a story more. I wasn’t let down here, Heather was amazing! I liked the way that all of the characters in this story were written, even the villains of the tale. As I’ve said before, none of them were flat 2-dimensional creations, they all felt very real. Oh, and like most Brits I do love a bit of well-timed banter. Again I found myself COL (Chuckling Out Loud) throughout this book.

The mystery and thriller aspect in Shadow Strike really kept me guessing. The action keeping me on the edge of my seat, however, well-placed the banter kept me giggling. The romance between Ethan and Heather (and the other couples in the book) warmed my heart while the passion set my tummy a-tingling. *oh my*

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

Nope, there’s nothing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love!! Even though some of the more violent scene sent my emotions spinning.

Ms Duvall tries to ensure her new readers aren’t lost. She weaves any pertinent information about past adventures and existing characters into her plot.

However, in all honestly, I don’t think that Shadows Strike can be read as a standalone story. You’d miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships and ongoing plot lines. As with most series, there are background story arcs that are concluded within this book while others are left to continue into the next one, and possibly beyond. However, the romance aspect of the tale between Ethan and Heather is concluded by the end of this book.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

I couldn’t stop reading this book!

Shadows Strike had everything that I look for, definitely earning my 5 star rating. It had an easy to read, intelligent writing style with a background story and setting felt real. The main characters were complex with a believable depth of personality as were the supporting cast. As well as a balanced mix of scenes; relationship, romance, action, humour and sex. I was left breathless wondering where Ms Duvall would take us next!

I would recommend Shadows Strike to adults who love reading action-packed stories with tense, often traumatic and brutal confrontations. Especially those who want strong alpha heroes, independent capable heroines and hot romance.

So, has my review of SHADOWS STRIKE (IMMORTAL GUARDIANS #6) encouraged you to find out more? Click on any of the links to check out the book yourself. Keep reading to find out more about the series and the author herself.

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Thanks for taking the time to read my review. I hope you decide to add Shadows Strike to your wish list.

Dianne Duvall is one of the amazing authors on my favourites’ page. I’m sure you’ll see more of her on my blog in the months and years to come. Have you read any of her books? Drop me a comment below.

Bye for now,

Flora x