i read a lot of books - this is the first book in a very long time that actually surprised me with the end.

Can't wait to read the next one! ( )

2.5 stars

This book was pretty ho-hum. Paladins protect the world from the Others. Paladins die, but can be revived. However, there is no explanation on what exactly the Paladins and Others are. We know the Others are bad, but that's it. We don't know what makes them bad and it's very sketchy where they come from. What makes the Paladins tick? Are they born this way? Is there something in their DNA? What? It was very poor world building, in my opinion. None of the characters had any depth and I didn't really care who was trying to kill Devlin. There was a slight spark of interest near the end concerning the Others and I may read the next one because of it. ( )

Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan
Book #1 in the Paladins of Darkness
4 Stars

Synopsis:
Devlin Bane is a Paladin, one of an ancient race of warriors born to defend the Earth from deadly invaders known as the Others. The Paladins of renowned for their fighting skills and for their ability to rejuvenate after death, however, each resurrection results in additional losses of their humanity until they ultimately turn into the monsters they are destined to fight. Now, Devlin has finally found someone to live for, Laurel Young, the doctor assigned to be his handler. Unfortunately, someone wants Devlin permanently dead and will not hesitate to use Laurel as bait.

Review:
Morgan’s characters are intriguing and she writes a compelling action-packed plot that ratchets up a notch toward the end. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the Paladin’s world, as well as that of the Others, are insufficient. The mythos and characterization are one dimensional and inadequately explained. The identity of the villain, for example, is almost immediately obvious due to the lack of detail, and Devlin’s backstory and training to become a Paladin is suspiciously absent.

The romance in the story is sweet. Devlin is a typical alpha male but has some endearing insecurities and Laurel is intelligent and independent. The fact that they are forced to keep their feelings secret because relationships between Paladins and their handlers are frowned upon adds another layer to the underlying tension between them. However, it was difficult to become completely immersed in them as a couple as their connection seems forced and even somewhat clinical. The character that really caught my attention is Blake Trahern, the hero of the next book, who appeals to my “bad boy with a heart of gold” fetish.

Recommendation: Despite its shortcomings, the book is exciting and enjoyable, and there are enough elements, such as the conspiracy and the search for a cure for the Paladin’s condition, to retain my interest in finding out where the story is going. Consequently, I will be continuing with the series. ( )

If you love Kenyon's Dark hunter's you'll love the Paladins of Darkness series by Alexis Morgan. Dark Protector is the first book in this sexy, hot new series and it deliveries in every way. ( )

This books starts strong and then goes in circles. It looks like this was the authors first publication, so it’s understandably a learning process. I will try Book Two in the hopes of answering the question of just who the villain is. I’m hoping it doesn’t take until Book Seven to find that answered, otherwise I will never know. I don’t have the patience to follow that far, nor the inclination to reward an author for not concluding just to get us to pick up the next book. I like closure. The only reason why I read the whole book was due to curiosity–which remained unfulfilled.

It’s a problem when the demonic or alien race is Other. It lacks imagination, and gets irritating keeping “other” separated from standard speech. I liked the plot, but it and the characters needed to be more fully developed. It could have been so much more! There was so much potential. I couldn’t get very attached to the characters. If they were to die, which they didn’t, I wouldn’t have cared. The book has sex scenes, not romantic moments, and they aren’t very creditable. I don’t mind romance or sex, but it shouldn’t be clumsy or distract away from the plots momentum. If it doesn’t make you hot, it’s not worth the pages its written on.

I’m hoping that Book Two will be better. This book had enough going on to give the next book a try.
( )

Paladins are warriors fighting to keep the Others from entering our world through the barriers at all major fault lines across earth when they move - the warrior can die but also be revived by their Handlers. Toughest Paladin to date is Devlin Bane, and he is coming towards the end of his life, even though they cannot die, every revivement brings them closer to turning into the Others.

Dr. Young is Bane's Handler, she revives him and tries to find out just what makes these men special why they can be revived and why they are losing their humanity - but besides that she's attached to Bane, the warrior attracts her and soon they ignite flames that should not exists, after all when he does loose what’s left of his humanity she will be the one putting him down.

With the attraction burning between the two Bane also has to come to grips that what killed him the last time wasn't an Other but a human, as weird details keep piling up it becomes evident that some is out to kill Bane and now that he's hanging around Laurel she's on under fire as well.

Wow! This was new! I haven't seen anything like it in PNR before, completely unique! Super-soldiers, meet the Wraith! Yes, I know, that was a Stargate reference. ;)

This book start the series of with a smack load of details which makes it perhaps a little slow, but not any less entertaining! The Paladins all get somewhat introduced and I can't wait to read their books as well. Especially Trahern's as he's pretty much the most "gone" of them all, least human.

I would have liked to have given this book a half a star more but it didn't quite earn it, I would have wanted more continuance in some parts and while there was plenty of sex it should have lead into something or held something up ( no bun intended, or maybe it was ;) ) so that it would have not been just "filler". Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I wanted something behind it as well. Oh, shoot! I just sounds like a total double entendre all the time! Enough.

This is for all Paranormal Romance lovers and people who want something new out of the shifter and vampire inhabited genre!

From For The Love of Reading!@ http://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-dark-protector.h... ( )

This is an emerging new author with a promising new series.

I think an avid reader of fantasy romance like me would enjoy this book as much as I did. Looking forward and waiting for the next book to arrive in the mail. I know that the market now is inundated with fantasy romances and the like, but I say the more the better, it just means that then I don't have to run out of books to read (yet). So, A. Morgan, please write on..

Rating: 5 out of 5

My review online: http://www.cherrymischievous.com/2007/08/dark-protector.html ( )

Devlin Bane is a Paladin, it's his destiny to fight evil, every time he dies he is reborn but it's stripping him of his humanity. His handler is Dr Laurel Young, assigned to ensure that he doesn't become a monster. They find themselves attracted but have difficulties as duty wars with love.

It's a fun read, I look forward to more by this author and more in this series. ( )

lots of action; very steamy; good start to a new series about Paladin, a warrior whose job is to protect to the death, the barrier between the Earth and the Others. Paladins are able perish and then be brought back to life, but at a cost to their human souls. very interesting. likely to read more in the series ( )

Devlin Bane is the leader of the Paladins charged with the protection of our world from the Other. When pressure is released from the earth by volcanoes or earthquakes that is when the others come, trying to escape their world deep beneath into our own, bringing violence and earth harming plagues with them. The Paladins are the world's last line of defense able to die again and again, then come back to fight some more. But this ability comes with a price, for every time a Paladin dies a little of his soul dies with him until there is nothing left but a killing machine eager for violence against anyone and everything.

Laurel Young is a doctor, a handler who has dedicated herself to the care and resurrection of the Paladins. Laurel sees each of the Paladins as a hero, worthy of special care and treatment. However, those in charge of the Paladins' deployment and keeping have other ideas. They treat the Paladins as animals to be let loose only when the need is great. It is Laurel's constant struggle to keep the Paladins healthy and sane enough to continue fighting.

Laurel is always the consummate professional doctor and handler, except with Devlin. Every time he dies and she brings him back it becomes harder to distance herself. What is difficult becomes impossible when Devlin makes it clear that his interest in her has become more than just a Paladins interest in his handler. When Devlin becomes the _target of a human conspiracy of betrayal from within their own organization will he be able to keep Laurel safe?

Dark Protector is the first book of a new of a paranormal romance series. Although the story didn't really present any surprises and it seemed to travel the familiar characterizations found throughout this genre, the story was interesting and enjoyable. I did find myself sympathizing with The Others, especially near the end, for their struggle to come into our world is obviously driven by a desperate motivation. I would recommend this book to those searching for more novels along the lines of Feehan, Ward and Kenyon. ( )

2.5 ( )

Devlin and Laurel's story and world building for the paladins. ( )

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11919300