Customer Reviews

Dark Warrior Unbroken (The Talions, Book 2)

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I enjoyed the second book in the Talions world, it was quick, easy and read a little similar to Alexis Morgan's other books. Morgan though has created a completely different world with the Talions, one that does indeed stand alone from her Paladins series in its own way. I just felt similar threads in regards to how the couples meet, interact and fall in love that run through most of her novels.

Lena is in the fire bug business (the legal end) and was crushed when her best friend Cooper died. Lena decides that it's up to her to bring the murderer to justice and embarks on her own vigil-anti quest. Unfortunately for her she is road blocked by Kerry, Ranulf and this hottie Sandor. While they are just trying to protect humanity and Lena in general from Rouges, Lena has decided that they must be covering something up and is determined to ferret out the rat. Lena believes she can do this better than the detectives on the job and the police because she has a sixth sense that allows her to see violence that has already occurred like a movie flashing in front of her eyes.

This is when she begins to follow Sandor, which inevitably ends with her pressed against a brick wall being kissed silly, then followed by the car, then her hotel, then his house. Here is where a little characteristic of Lena comes out that I do not like one bit. She herself is embarking on a vigil-anti quest, yet she rails and yells at Kerry, Ranulf and Sandor for taking care of the rouges without HUMAN police interference. Even after Sandor explains what Bradan (Evil rouge from last book) did, and how Bradan would have ripped the humans apart, in fact did rip humans apart, Lena just yells that he is taking the law in to his own hands and with out the law there would be chaos. It's here that I find myself saying really?....really? I mean if there were a race of super humans who had the ability to rip humans apart physically and mentally I would definitely be grateful that they had their own type of law enforcement that took down the bad guys.

So onward....... we find out the rouges this time aren't evil so to speak, just part Kyth and no control over their powers. Lena and Sandor keep exploring their passionate chemistry, and they hunt down the bad guys. Kerry is learning that with the mantel of power comes great responsibility and even greater head aches, and Ranulf is still healing, and I'm glad to say not allowing the darkness to take him under.

The book was a good quick romance read, but I wanted a little more, like with the Paladin series there was an ultimate bad guy (Though Morgan turned the readers on their heads with the last two Paladin books) and an ultimate goal. With the Talions I find myself feeling like they're just trying to live below the radar of humanity and police their own rouges, nothing epic or ultimate. I mean Kerry is obviously trying to get her new subjects to see that she is a fit ruler, but besides that nothing. I want evil plots and dastardly deeds.

Arson investigator Lena Wilson missed the funeral of her mentor and father figure Maynard Cooper because of the breach between them. The dispute seems inane to her as she stands at his gravesite crying that they never reconciled and vowing to uncover the identity of his killer in spite of the cops insisting they have no leads; she has special skills that enable her to find things the police would never notice.

Talion Warrior Chief Enforcer Sandor Kearn regrets doing his job when he was forced to kill his best friend, Bradan. He not only has doubts he has the stomach for this work; he has the added problem of obsessive persistent Lena who keeps digging. Sandor wants to tell her that he killed her mentor's murderer already, but cannot reveal that or anything about his people the Kyth. He tracks a Kyth rogue killer in Seattle while she tracks him as Lena believes Sandor killed Maynard.

The second Talion thriller (see DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED) reads somewhat like the first novel, but the clash between the lead couple brings freshness to the exhilarating story line. Lena knows in her heart Sandor is the one for her but believes in her brain based on what she has learned he is the one she must kill to complete her vow. Sandor, who plays a key role in the previous tale, is caught between a hard place and a rock as he wants to pour out his heart to his obstinate pursuer and give her closure and more; but he understands his imprint is indirectly all over the death of Maynard. Alexis Morgan provides a tense thriller as the vigilante goes after the enforcer.

Harriet Klausner

Lena Wilson is haunted by the unsolved murder of her friend, Maynard Cooper (see DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED for more details). She missed attending his funeral and now sees avenging his murder- legally- as the only way to find any semblance of peace. Her investigation leads her to Sandor Kearn and the mysterious world of the Kyth. But Sandor is once again on the trail of a renegade... will Lena be able to accept Sandor's world as well as his brand of justice?

Alexis Morgan's second book in her Talions series is an interesting one that touches on some rather complex issues. Readers unfamiliar with the first book, DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED, can easily read this second entry but the story is only fully appreciated within the context of both books. The characters of Sandor, Kerry, and Ranulf are all previously introduced in the first book as Alexis Morgan builds on the foundation already established between them.

Sandor's transformation started in the first book as he had to learn some tough lessons about judging others. Things come full circle in DARK WARRIOR UNBROKEN when he falls for a woman who believes in following the letter of the law. The interactions between Sandor and Lena are both passionate and fiery. Seeing both characters get their happily-ever-after makes for a satisfying read, particularly as both Lena and Sandor must learn to accept each other's strong wills. Easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I like her Paladin's, and I also like the Dark Warrior series. I'm looking forward to which ever books come out next. Wish there were more books coming out quicker.

Again, even after book 2 I am unsure "what" these warriors are supposed to be. A decent read, but not great.

This series, compared to Morgan's Paladins series, just does not deliver. And it seriously lacks any character development, romance or interest when compared to other series such as Immortals After Dark series(Kresley Cole, Black Dagger Brotherhood series(J. R. Ward), Demoinca series (Larissa Ione) or Dark Hunter series (Sherilynn Kenyon). There is potential at the start of each book, but by the 1/2way point you realize it is just never going to pan out and I found myself flipping to check how many pages were left until the end.The only reason I read books 2 and 3 is because I bought books 1, 2, and 3 all at the same time - BIG mistake and a BIG waste of money.

Sandor Kearn has been made the head Talion Enforcer by their new Grand Dame. Their people, the Kyths, look like everyone else but they have special needs and the enforcers protect both the Kyths and the humans from harm by making sure that the rules are followed. Since being placed into the head position, Sandor has been seriously busy. Now he is on the track of renegade who is hunting in the streets of Seattle.

Lena Wilson has come back to Seattle to discover just who murdered her mentor. There is no doubt in her opinion that he was murdered and Lena has just enough of the facts to begin her search. Lena knows that she will be able to discover facts that no one else can because she has abilities that will show her things others can't see. Those same abilities put some distance between her and her mentor, but now Lena is going to use them to avenge him.

Sandor and Lena meet when she discovers enough to question the Grand Dame about the murder that, by law, they can't let Lena know about. There is attraction between both Sandor and Lena, however neither is sure if they want to acknowledge it - for different reasons. Now besides looking for the renegade, Sandor also needs to keep the truth about what happened from Lena. Passion trumps good intentions and soon Sandor has to decide just what he is going to tell both Lena and his Grand Dame. To top it off, not even the renegade is what Sandor expected. When all the truths come out, will Sandor and Lena have a future together?

Being in charge sometimes means breaking the rules. Dark Warrior Unbroken has the new head enforcer meeting his match very unexpectedly. Lena left Seattle because she could not help using her abilities to discover the truth. Sandor's new position means he needs to keep his people out of human knowledge and make sure they follow the rules. The road that Lena and Sandor follow is not an easy one but it made their discovery of love all that more intriguing. It was so interesting watching them fight for laws and justice when it meant different things to each of them. While their way to love wasn't easy, that made it all the deeper. I really enjoyed seeing Sandor's softer side at the end and Lena's understanding of just what their society is. Dark Warrior Unbroken is a dark and rich story that will capture your attention immediately.

I would suggest reading this series in order as the plot lines go on from the last book to the next. I will be waiting to see the next venture into the Talions' world.

Jo

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved this book. I kept me engrossed to the very end. Read it in 2 sittings!!

Took me a little while to finish it . I didn't find it as good as her other books. My thing is don't the Kyth live forever? Meaning Lena will die sooner or later and Sandor will be alone again. Wish she had found some way to get around that.