Book review: Edge of Dawn (Midnight Breed #11) by Lara Adrian

Edge of Dawn (Midnight Breed #11) by Lara Adrian

Paranormal romance*Hardcover, 1st Edition, 300 pages

Published February 26th 2013 by Delacorte Press (first published February 21st 2013)

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.

 

When I finished reading Darker After Midnight, the experience was bittersweet. Midnight Breed was one of a handful of PNR series I have truly loved and devoured each installment when it was published. But the series was ending. Or so I thought. Imagine my shock and joy when author Lara Adrian announced she was continuing the series. I had one question: if Dragos was dead, what would the Breed face next?

Like the consummate professional she is, the author jumped forward in the Breedmate world--twenty years ahead after First Dawn and the fighting which was unleashed. The Breed now lives and walks among man, though many are not thrilled to know of their existence. Edge of Dawn features Mira, that cute but creepy girl with 'the eyes'--she has the Sight and when looked upon, can show a person a moment in time. Sometimes the moment is  lovely, sometimes it's cruel. Mira has grown up and though she is not Breed, she has trained with the best, including her close friends Nathan and Kellan. Remember Kellan? He was one of two survivors (along with his grandfather Lazaro) of the Archer family when their Darkhaven family was murdered? Unfortunately, we learn Kellan, Mira's boyfriend, was killed during an assignment eight years earlier, leaving Mira heartbroken and alone. 

Since this is a paranormal, anything can happen and it does. It does! I was delighted to see the Breed kids grown up and I love the idea of each having their own story. Lara Adrian is certainly a master storyteller. I wasn't sure how she would continue the series, but she has and this new world, though different than the world portrayed in the first ten books, makes for some interesting problems. A government that accepts the Breed, countries which have a Breed representative on staff, people walking up to warriors in bars to flirt with and offer their blood. Yes, this is a different world and I'm excited to see the next books in the series if they're anything like this one.

I liked Mira, she's tough, can handle herself and is fiercely loyal. Kellan is gone but he is not forgotten. Until she awakens to find him quite alive and holding her captive, the so-called leader of a group of rebels calling him "Bowman." Kelan and Mira had some terrific scenes together as they fought their true feelings for each other until they finally gave up and accepted they need each other. The writing was emotional and touching in many places.

My only concern was I didn't really understand Kellan's reason for not going back to the Order after his injury healed. His group of rebels did not seem as effective as I would think they should be. I did roll my eyes when Kellan and Mira had their third roll in bed. I understand they needed to reacquaint themselves but it did slow the pacing down. I wondered why Kellan wasn't concerned about the Order closing in around their building, nor did either of them seem worried their lovemaking sounds would awaken the other rebel members. Mira didn't seem to think about her adopted parents missing her, especially the very pregnant Renata. 

Happily, my concerns were merely a blip as the story once again took off and I couldn't stop reading. A new creation of UV bullets riled up Kellan as his plan to stop the scientist from releasing his work backfired. The couple certainly was thrown through the ringer with his surrendering, her eyesight problems, his sentencing and dying. The author is so adept at creating characters readers love and cherish over many books. Lucan has remained a favorite of the Breed warriors and he continues to hold a special place in my heart after his role in this book.

 What an imagination Lara Adrian has! Edge of Dawn is the beginning of the 'new' Breed members--the children of the characters readers have grown to love--who are poised to take over and bring the Order into a new world. Knowing there is an organization and another immortal race who seeks the vampires demise can only mean more hours of exciting readers as they anxiously await the next Midnight Breed novel, number twelve. I am happily part of the legion of fans thrilled that this beloved series will continue. Thank you, Ms. Adrian.

Rating: 4.5

1/2

Cover comment: Keeping with tradition. Why not? It works here.

Book source: Netgalley