Dark Watcher (The Watcher Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Lilith Saintcrow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2004

The Lightbringer: Theodora Morgan knows she's a little strange. Her talent for healing has set her apart, marked her as different all her life-a life spent moving from town to town when too much notice is taken of her abilities. Unfortunately, her talent for healing has brought her to the attention of the Crusade-and the Dark. The Crusade wants her dead because she's psychic, the Dark wants to feed on her talent-and then there's Dante. Tall and grim and armed with black-bladed knives, guns and a sword, he says he's here to protect her. But what if Theo needs protection from him? The Watcher: Dante is a Watcher, sworn by Circle Lightfall to protect the Lightbringers. His next assignment? Watch over Theo. She doesn't know she's a Lightbringer, she doesn't know she's surrounded by enemies-and she doesn't know she's been marked for death by a bunch of fanatics. Perfect. He can't protect her if she doesn't trust him, but how can she possibly trust a man scarred by murder and warfare-a man who smells like the same Darkness Theo has been running from all her life?

Editorial Reviews

Review

I read "Dark Watcher" with growing delight. As chapter followed chapter, I never quite knew what was around the corner. -- Ebook Reviews

From the Publisher

First in the 4-book "Watcher" series

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Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: ImaJinn Books (October 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975965328
• ISBN-13: 978-0975965320
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lilith Saintcrow lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her two children and assorted other strays. She has been writing since she was nine years old. Find her on the web at www.lilithsaintcrow.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but unexciting, May 15, 2006

By 

loonigrrl (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dark Watcher (The Watcher Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Interesting but unexciting pretty much sums up how I feel about this book. After reading and loving Saintcrow's Working for the Devil I was expecting this one to be as gutsy and satisfying, but I was disappointed.

This book was just bland: plot, characters, you name it. Theodora, a very powerful but gentle witch, is caught up in a battle with evil forces who want nothing more than to kill her. Dante, the strong and protective watcher sent to keep her safe, realizes she is "his witch" who will soothe the darkness in him and bond with him for the rest of their lives. Theodora was maybe too good and gentle to be interesting. Her powers, which were continually remarked upon as exceptionally strong, were never explored or developed. I wanted to know more about her powers, how they developed, what her life was like always moving from city to city one step ahead of the bad guys. Instead, I felt like she wasn't fully developed. Basically, we get a pretty short book which spends too much time on the uninteresting parts and skips through the exciting ones. Even the ultimate fight scene in the end is skipped over and dealt with only very briefly leaving me feeling not satisfied, but disappointed.

Dante could have been interesting. He was saved from death long ago by Circle Lightfall and became a Watcher. In doing so, the Circle placed fire, or darkness, in him to make him strong. This also could have been explored- his past, his life as a watcher, the darkness in him- but it's not. All we know is he's tough, but Theodora brings out the goodness in him- not a totally original idea. What was original, like with many aspects of this book, was simply not explored. When I finished this book I realized that I was better off waiting for a sequel to Working for the Devil.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent start to a fantastic series!, May 1, 2006

By 

Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Watcher (The Watcher Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

DARK WATCHER only gets better with each re-reading! Lilith Saintcrow has created a world where good, known as the Lightbringers, battles evil, known as the Dark. Lightbringers are witches whose very existence in a city will reduce the crime rate. The Circle of Lightfall is an organization dedicated to protecting Lightbringers by assigning Watchers to the Lightbringers. Watchers have a bit of the Dark in them and the touch of a Lightbringer causes pain- unless the Lightbringer is their witch.

Dante is a Watcher assigned to Lightbringer Theodora Morgan. Upon meeting her, he realizes she is his witch- and that she is in grave danger as she is part of a group of 3 Lightbringers and a Teacher, all unprotected except for himself and the Watcher Hanson. The Dark has started to attack in full force. How will Dante protect Theodora? Will she accept that she is his witch? And what is this about a Guardian spell?

DARK WATCHER has a unique blend of a sweet romance paired with strong paranormal action scenes. Theodora doesn't instantly trust Dante but adopts a wait-and-see approach. Dante is focused only on protecting Theodora and he embodies the tall, dark, handsome man of whom so many dream. Theodora is a well-developed character who demonstrates a perfect balance of strength and sensitivity. She is a healer and seeks out strays to help ease their pain. Dante's pain touches her as no other has and she seeks to comfort him despite her own fears.

DARK WATCHER is an excellent combination of fantasy and the paranormal. Lilith Saintcrow has created an intriguing and complex fantasy world that immediately draws the reader in and doesn't let go until the very last page. Do not start reading DARK WATCHER unless you have plenty of time to finish it as this is one book you will not want to put down!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Fantasy Romance, March 8, 2006

By 

Elaine C McTyer "avid reader" (Dawson, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Watcher (The Watcher Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Theodora Morgan is a witch, not just any witch, but a healer. She and three friends who are witches also, have a temple to the goddess in the basement of Theo's store The Magick Cauldren. Theo doesno't usually stay very long in one place but finding like minded friends has given her the push she needs to stay in one place longer than usual.

Dante is a watcher, sworn to protect those with psychic power from the evils of the Dark Crusade, and the darkness that is waiting to swallow and feed on the light in those people. He doesn't usually reveal his presence, but the circumstances force him to come clean with Theo.

The fact of there being four light-bringers togather is like a lamp in the darkness and evil is determined to destroy them. Every watcher has to take some darkness into himself in order to be able to have the power to protect them, this causes pain to the watcher especially if he touches a light-bringer. However, it is said, and promised that there is one witch for each watcher who can give him peace and stop the pain caused by the darkness. When Dante sees Theo he knows she is his witch.

I loved the story. Very good plot and wonderful characters. Do not miss it.