Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
A confusing mixture, 26 Oct 2011
This review is from: Guardian (Kindle Edition)
Guardian is a short story by Elita Daniels and focuses on vampire Anna who was turned 8 years ago. Vampirism is an infection that was accidentally discovered 30 years ago during a scientific experiment. It is passed on by other vampires who are `carriers' of the disease through their venom when they bite people. Once turned a vampire must go into a camp where they are experimented on like animals in a lab. They are mistreated, abused and tortured all in the name of science to see how much of a threat they will be to society. Once released the vampires must take a cocktail of drugs to control their blood lust. They are also assigned a human protector, a Guardian, who is a bit like a parole officer. This isn't your usual paranormal book. There are no other creatures or special powers or battles etc as vampirism was accidentally invented by scientists. There are no hunting demons or a big case to solve. It just follows Anna who is a carrier vampire and her struggle with ordinary life and I really liked that, it made a change for me. I sort of liked Anna she is a complicated character one minute then she is fine the next she acts very strange, she also acts kind of crazy and I just wanted to give her a slap at times. Anna finds it very difficult to trust and love people, she prefers one night stands to a relationship and this is a big part of the book. She has two completely different love interests and I was truly shocked to find out what happens in both relationships. The story is very dark, Anna is abused in the book and she is deceived by those she finally comes to trust. The characters are quite unpleasant people and I cheered when one finally met his demise. The vampires are not sparkly they are dangerous sadistic people who like to play with humans and not in a good way. The book is extremely fast paced. At times I thought I had missed a page as the story jumps about so much and this did out me off. I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand I liked the different take on vampires by Ms Daniels and I do like to read dark stories but then on the other it was just too fast. The story ends very abruptly another negative for me it was like the last page didn't get printed. On a plus point I feel that this could be a great book if it was fleshed out, wasn't as fast paced and more time spent on it, I also love the cover. If you like dark gritty writing maybe you should give this book a go. I would like to give this book 3 stars.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
BelleBooks, 2 May 2011
This review is from: Guardian (Kindle Edition)
I was very lucky to receive a review copy of Guardian, a massive thank you to Elita Daniels for giving me that! I gave this book three stars, not because I didn't enjoy reading it, but because I thought it was a bit too fast paced. Don't get me wrong, I like my books pretty fast paced because I usually get sucked into them and can't put them down! But this was a little too fast for my liking. It also seemed a bit short for me as well, although this could just be because of the fast pacing, because of that to me it seemed like a really quick read. I did however love the storyline in the book. The book centres around Anna, who is a carrier vampire (which means she can spread the vampire disease to others!), her struggles to figure out what she wants from life, and her romantic feelings towards two very different love interests. I absolutely loved Anna and I really felt genuine emotions for her, she came across as lost and confused most of the time and I just wanted to grab her and hug her, and tell her that everything will be alright! I liked reading about the science bits behind the carrier virus, and the experiments going on to try to harness vampire abilities without also causing the typical vampire traits. I would have liked to find out a bit more about that side of the story, as well a bit more background information about the virus itself, and vampires being out in the open! Perhaps a short novella type prequel would cover all that information? Fingers Crossed! :) Overall it was a really great read, full of action, suspense and a few steamy scenes thrown in!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Human Protectors for Vampires - * Guardians *, 3 April 2011
By K. M. Whittaker "Dreamy angel" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Guardian (Kindle Edition)
Guardian is definably a unique story one of its kind, fast paced , new and refreshing and a different side to the Vampire saga we see every day. No turning pages back to see what you have missed or miss read full bore ahead till the end. It's intriguing and uniquely captivating all in one. Elita has created a world entirely of her own - bringing in old Vampire traits and also creating her own. The story is filled with mystery, and suspense, bursts of passion, and characters that fluently ran with the storyline. Chapters all smoothly streaming from one to the next. Secondary characters short and sweet, playing their rolls and well blended into the plot. Main characters contained that essence of passion and lust, sex scenes mild but tantalizing. Anna I found to be a damaged soul, being betrayed by someone she loved , we can all relate to that I am sure. She was kickarse when she needed to be and eventually love did find its way. Greg and Anna - seemed to oddly match - being both very different, Having their spurts of lusty but loving moments. A read that will keep you interested right till the end. Overall an enjoyable short read, I look forward to the next installment.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 Stars!, 2 Nov 2011
By Bonnie E. Wheeler "Mrs. J. Wheeler" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Guardian (Kindle Edition)
Guardian 5 out of 5 Stars to author Elita Daniels and her novel "Guardian." Before I begin, I must say, I absolutely devoured this novel. Within the very first chapter, Daniels brings us into a world where vampires exist and are treated as second-hand-citizens. The vampire life isn't glamorous - they have cruel experiments performed on them, they are assigned humans (many of whom are cruel) as a sort of "parole officer" to monitor their every move, and they are forced to take meds that make them ill. I loved the scientific aspects of how vampirism could be spread as an infection, how the government would have their hands in using the disease as a weapon, and how a society's fear of the unknown would bring out the worst in them. What I loved the most was how Daniel's created characters that were both terrifying and fascinating. Her vampires aren't made of fluff - they have intense emotions, they have physical urges, and they are suffering. If you are a fan of Christopher Pike's "Thirst" or Scott Westfield's "Peeps," then I suggest you check this novel out. It is edgy, raw, and the characters deal with real life situations. If you want a quick read that isn't all neat and tidy with a happy ending, then I highly recommend Elita Daniel's "Guardian." I cannot wait for her to eventually make a book 2 in the series and truly hope to see more of Anna, Greg, and Leon. The novel has so much potential for a full blown series that has grit and passion.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great concept, closer to three and a half stars, 21 July 2011
By Luvs2Read - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Guardian (Kindle Edition)
I liked this book, but didn't love it. I enjoyed the world the author created and the alternate concept she has conceived for her vampires. A virus that can mutate in a person to either infect them or leave them a carrier -- the latter which must be shunted away to contain the spread of the "disease". While I have no complaints on the actual editing of the book - it was easy to read and free of errors, I didn't care for the way the story is told. A lot of writers mix narrative and showing to pull the reader in. Too often in this story we are simply told what is happening. But we don't feel it when our heroine is feeling it. When she's involved with the doctor and we're told she loves him, I found it hard to believe. She seemed detached from him and every other partner she had throughout the book. While I found the story compelling and I read it in a few days, I kept wishing for more -- more depth from the characters, more feeling, more rich description bringing us in -- but over and over the author "tells" us what happens and it falls flat. Also, the ending seemed rather abrupt. I won't spoil it, but there was no resolution with this book and it's almost like if you want to know how the story ends you MUST buy the next one. I would much rather have seen some wrap up with a lead in to the next story over being left hanging as this ending did. Overall, I think this author has promise and I will check out her other work. I liked the concept and the characters, but I would have liked to get to know them better rather than left feeling like an outsider during the story.
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