Book Review: Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian

Edge of Dawn
Midnight Breed #11
Author: Lara Adrian
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Released: February 21st 2013
Review Source: Purchased
Available: Amazon

Summary: In this pulse-pounding and thrillingly sensual novel, New York Timesbestselling author Lara Adrian returns to the mesmerizing world of the Midnight Breed, following new characters into a dark future where an uneasy peace can unravel into war—and a great betrayal can mask an all-consuming love.

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.

The story opens with a few journal entries from the Order's archives, written by Jenna Tucker-Darrow, our human turned "cyborg" by the Ancient in Shades of Midnight. Jenna has started to chronicle the Breed's history as told by the Ancient in her dreams/memories. We are then transported 20 years into the future after First Dawn took place following Dragos unleashing the Rogues on society all around the world. In one coordinated event, the Breed was forced out into the open for the humans to see and for the most part fear. But Dragos did not win, and Lucan has been working with the GNC for twenty years to work toward a peaceful future for all mankind and Breed alike.

Lucan Thorne finds himself to be more of a diplomat on Breed/Human relations now that both sides are trying to peacefully co-exist together around the world. The Order no longer resides in one location, they have bases of operations all around the globe run by the Elder members of the Order. Lucan is currently preparing for the first peace summit with the GNC and the Order's Elders are all coming in to Washington D.C. to show a strong front for the Breed.

Meanwhile we are introduced to a whole new cast of sexy, fierce warriors - the next generation of the Order. Nathan (GenOne son of Corinne), Jax, Bal (Balthazar), Rafe (Xander Rafael - the son of Tess and Dante), Dare (Darien - son of Lucan and Gabrielle), Julian, Torin, Elijah, Micah, Aric (son of Tavia and Chase) and last but not least, Mira (the young blonde adopted daughter of Nikolai and Renatta). We are also introduced to Carys Chase (fraternal twin sister of Aric who was born both Breed and Breedmate like her mother, Tavia). Now all of these character names may seem confusing but they all play a role and I believe we'll start to see books featuring each of them which means this series can go on forever! You won't hear any complaints from me!

But all of that being said, Edge of Dawn belongs to Mira and Kellan. You remember Kellan Archer, grandson of Lazaro Archer who came to live with the Order after his entire family was blown sky high along with their Darkhaven in Deeper Than Midnight. Well Mira is no longer the little blonde haired waif that used to run up and down the hallways and chase puppies around in the snow. No, she is now a fully capable member of the Order and is Captain of her own team. She is the only member of the Order who is not Breed. Mira finds herself in Boston, one of her least favorite cities, running patrols with her team on the night of the eight anniversary of Kellan's death. Eight years ago, Kellan disappeared inside a warehouse chasing down a lead on a Rebel group when the warehouse exploded just before Nathan and Mira arrived to help him out. Eight years ago, Mira and Kellan had finally taken their relationship to the next level and made love for the first time. That was the last time Mira would ever know the warmth of the man she had grown to love since he came into her life when she was eight years old.

While her team celebrates a night of successful patrols, Mira being the hot head she is decides the anniversary of Kellan's death is just too much to bear and goes off on her own. She ends up running into a known Rebel who goes by the name Rooster (because of his red mohawk). She follows him to a local club and pins Rooster with a couple of her lethal daggers in the arms to a nearby wall. Nathan steps in to get her to cool off, but the damage has been done. Mira has been reprimanded more than once for her temper and this time she sends Lucan over the edge. He sends her team back to Montreal and orders Mira to escort a high profile Scientist, Jeremy Ackmeyer, to D.C. for the Peace Summit. But when she goes to pick him up, Ackmeyer has already been kidnapped, and Mira now finds herself face to face with Bowman. Bowman is a Rebel leader, living on the outskirts of Boston. But Bowman wasn't looking for trouble on this kidnapping mission, he certainly wasn't looking for a member of the Order to be the one chosen to escort the reclusive scientist to the peace summit. He definitely wasn't planning on bumping into Mira, the woman he loves and has loved for most of his life. Bowman is Kellan who is very much not dead.

Kellan has kept his distance for the last eight years but has never been able to let go of Mira. He never wanted to leave her, in fact he wanted to make her his blood bonded mate eight years ago. But when he woke up the following morning with Mira in his arms, she briefly opened her unshielded eyes and Kellan got a very quick glimpse of his fate. A fate that would damn them both and leave Kellan dead in the end causing Mira more pain than his sudden disappearance following the warehouse explosion. Mira can't believe what she is seeing now, that the only person her heart has ever wanted is still alive after all these years. But whether he is a Rebel leader who believes his fate is damned or not, she wants this male as hers and will stop at nothing to change their fate.

Their love story is filled with a passion that will ignite your blood and get your pulse racing. It will have you panting one minute and screaming in agony the next. You will be searching for the happily ever after to the very last page but their story, though painful and tragic, is definitely my favorite of the series thus far. Lara has just released the title of the next in the series, Crave the Night, where I believe we'll see Nathan and Jordana's story. There's a bit in this book between them that is just absolutely priceless. No matter who the book ultimately ends up being about, Lara has nailed this series and has given it fresh blood and a new enemy for the Order to smoke out of hiding once more.