Abby Barlow, a maid, finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural beings after an explosion kills her employer, Selena, and transfers the Phoenix spirit to her. Dante, a 341-year-old vampire, has been protecting The Chalice for centuries and now must safeguard Abby, the new Chalice, from demons seeking to bring the Dark Prince back to earth. As Abby and Dante navigate through witches, wizards, and demons, a battle between good and evil ensues, testing their love and resolve. The story unfolds in a fast-paced manner, blending elements of romance, danger, and paranormal intrigue, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters:

The characters are depicted with varying degrees of depth; Abby's background is explored while Dante remains somewhat of a mystery.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features humor and engaging dialogue, but suffers from inconsistencies and repetition, affecting overall flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Abby's unexpected transformation into the Chalice after her employer's death, thrusting her into a world of supernatural threats and romance.

Setting:

The story is set in a supernatural version of Chicago, incorporating various mystical elements and locations.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast at the beginning, but uneven throughout, with some sections that detract from engagement.

She abruptly grimaced. No, a vase was not just a vase. Not when it was a very rare vase. A priceless vase. One that should no doubt have been in a museum. One that was the dream of any collector and ....

Notes:

The book is titled 'When Darkness Comes' and is the first in the 'Guardians of Eternity' series by Alexandra Ivy.

The story is set in Chicago and involves vampires, demons, witches, and a powerful entity called the Phoenix.

The main character, Abby Barlow, becomes the host for the Phoenix after her employer, Selena, dies.

Dante, a 341-year-old vampire, is bound to protect Abby as she becomes the new vessel for the Phoenix.

The Phoenix is described as a force that can keep the Prince of Darkness at bay.

Abby has a troubled past, being raised in an abusive environment, which influences her character and vulnerabilities.

The book has been noted for its fast pacing and action right from the start, including an explosion and immediate danger.

Romantic tension between Abby and Dante develops quickly, leading to several romantic encounters throughout the book.

Reviewers have described the writing style as having both engaging dialogues and moments of frustration with character arcs.

Characters like Viper, a potentially significant player in the series, are mentioned, hinting at more complex storylines in subsequent books.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of abuse, violence, and explicit sexual content.

Has Romance?

There is a significant romantic element in the story, with a high emphasis on the relationship between Abby and Dante.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

It's been a hell of a day for Abby Barlow. In just a few hours, she's survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy, unearthly Dante, a man she both desires and fears. For three hundred and forty-one years, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago, Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect. And he will do so until his very death. A terrifying plan has been set in motion, one that will plunge Dante and Abby into an epic battle between good and evil-and a desperate race to save their love.

Ratings (2)

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Reader Stats (10):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (4)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (2)

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About the Author:

Alexandra Ivy is the "New York Times" bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity series. She has also published traditional regencies and regency historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh.

As an audiobook narrator, Arika Rapson has performed a wide range of genres, from classics to contemporary thrillers, children's books, urban fantasy, and chick lit-including Cat Adams's Blood Singer series-as well as stranger-than-fiction true stories. She has also narrated a variety of educational videos, apps, and video game characters.

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When Darkness Comes

Alexandra Ivy

Book 1 in the series:Guardians of Eternity