Dawnbreaker (Dark Days, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jocelynn Drake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2009

The dawn brings new terror for the creatures of the night . . .

Those of her race fear Mira for the lethal fire she bends to her will—a power unique among nightwalkers, both a gift . . . and a curse.

The naturi despise Mira for what she is—as they prepare the final sacrifice that will destroy the barriers between the worlds. And once the naturi are unchained, blood, chaos, and horror will reign supreme on Earth.

Mira can trust only Danaus, the more-than-mortal vampire slayer, though he is sworn to destroy her kind. And now, as the day approaches when titanic forces will duel under cover of darkness, destiny draws them toward an apocalyptic confrontation at Machu Picchu. But all is not lost, for a wild card has been dealt to them: a rogue enemy princess who can change the balance of power and turn the dread tide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An intoxicating mix of jet-setting action and sparkling turns of phrase that let me taste the Nile and feel the British fog. NIGHTWALKER is a must-read addition to the urban fantasy genre, filled both with action and satisfying characters.” (Kim Harrison, New York Times bestselling author of For a Few Demons More )

“With its ever–thickening plot, fans of supernatural drama are sure to get their money’s worth.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

“NIGHTWALKER is an action-packed, stellar debut. Jocelynn Drake will have you coming back for more.” (Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author of Halfway to the Grave )

“An unflinchingly self-assured first novel, chiseled with subtlety and irony into a darkly suspenseful and blessedly surprising story. In exacting detail, and with prose as silky and enticing as her protagonist, Drake has composed a love letter to the vampire genre. I wish I’d written it.” (Vicki Pettersson )

About the Author

The bestselling author of the Dark Days series and former financial analyst, Jocelynn Drake lives in Kentucky.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager; Original edition (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061542881
• ISBN-13: 978-0061542886
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

By day, Jocelynn Drake is a clean-cut financial analyst writer, but in her free time she writes about a dark underworld where vampires rule. The author of Nightwalker, she lives in Kentucky.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's a decent story, but I have an overwhelming sense of déjà vu I can't shake, October 1, 2009

By 

Mrs. Baumann - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dawnbreaker (Dark Days, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Plot Summary: Mira is back home, but the naturi have followed her to Savannah, and they're picking off the local vampires and werewolves to weaken her position. Just when things are getting really ugly with the local werewolf alpha, Danaus shows up because the time is near for the next naturi sacrifice. They leave for Machu Picchu, the site where Mira was tortured 500 years ago, and where the naturi tried to open a door to an alternate dimension to free their queen. Everyone is relying on Mira's fire-starter abilities to fry naturi, but she's also been working on mastering the earth magic that nearly swamped her last time.

I hate to be a party pooper, but I think this series is stuck in a rut. I don't feel like progress is being made from book to book, and I had a strong sense of déjà vu with the plot line. Like the past two books, Mira and Danaus maintained an uneasy alliance, they skirmished with the naturi, and then they had a big confrontation that Mira barely survives. Unfortunately it's all become too predictable, and I think the next book needs to break the mold to pull this series back up to the stellar level of the first novel.

The "I'll kill you when this is over" line has become a running joke between Mira and Danaus, but their relationship is STILL stuck in first gear. According to the timeline within the story, only one month has passed since they first met, but after three books I've passed antsy and now I'm frustrated. The lack of build up since their initial encounter is disheartening, and it has taken the edge off any romantic hopes I had for this couple.

For all my grumbling, I'm happy to say that Jocelynn Drake has not lost her touch when it comes to the pacing. The scenes flew by, and I was fully engrossed by the finale, but once again the ending lacked closure. I appreciate the need to keep things loose for sequels, but I also don't want to read a series that feels like Mira is trapped in a "Groundhog Day" scenario. I'm sorry to say, but this series has moved from one of my `must buys' to a `maybe buy.'

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 stars, December 24, 2009

By 

KindleVixen (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dawnbreaker (Dark Days, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

My first reaction when I finished this book? "ARGH I FRICKIN HATE THIS SERIES". But really I love it, i am just impatient and want answers NOW! Its like the TV show LOST - you want to boycott because it constantly makes you question what the hell is going on, but you can't because its just too good to ignore! Dawnbreaker is another great installment in the Dark Days series.

Mira is nightwalker, but she is a nightwalker with a unique gift. She can control fire and uses it to her advantage whenever she can. Mira is tasked with stopping a race of supernatural beings called the naturi from opening a portal that would allow them to cross into our world and destroy both humans and supernaturals.

Mira is not a character that is immediately likable. I read the first book and was a bit taken aback by her, but I have to admit she grows on you. She can be ruthless and violent. At 600 years old she knows what is necessary to protect herself and her people and is willing to do it without question. But she can also be sarcastic, funny, and protective of those she cares about or feels a duty to protect.

Mira's unlikely partner in crime is a vampire hunter named Danaus. He is dark, dangerous, and deadly. The two call a tentative truce in book 1 in order to fight the naturi and it has carried throughout the series so far. Dawnbreaker gives us a tiny bit more insight into the relationship between Mira and Danaus. In between light hearted jokes about killing each other we get little hints that maybe these two feel for each other more than they are willing to admit. I certainly hope they do get it on soon...we could all use a little relief in the "will they/wont they" tension! When they do get together it is going to be good. I can't image smex between Danaus and Mira as anything but rough and primal and all things yummy.

In Dawnbreaker the action starts immediately! The author wastes no time plunging Mira into danger and things never seem to slow down. The plot is dark and violent and it seems that someone is always bleeding. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, even the threat of my kids making a mess in the kitchen couldn't pull me away! There were a couple spots where I felt like things skipped ahead or paragraphs were left out at the end of a chapter. Not enough to make it unreadable, but enough that I had to go back and page and make sure I hadn't missed something.

My only other gripe is that for all the violence, I was still left feeling a tiny bit frustrated. I wanted more answers to questions about the developments in Mira's powers over the last 2 books, as well as the relationship between her and Danaus. For being 384 pages long, the book seemed to end too quickly for me. There is resolution to the main story arc, but with that resolution comes so many new twists and turns. What lays ahead for Mira? What about Danaus? I guess its a good thing there are at least 6 books planned for the series!

Dawnbreaker is one of those great reads that has you loving it, cursing it, and finally scratching your head at all of the possibilities to come.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Urban fantasy without the romance, November 3, 2009

By 

CS (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dawnbreaker (Dark Days) (Kindle Edition)

An interesting Urban Fantasy with a believable (non-romanticized) view of the paranormal world. It is not a PNR... the focus is DEFIANTLY not on romance. Romance isn't even in the picture.

The series is starting to become a little predictable... wash-rinse-repeat. I'm interested to see if book 4 will bring something new or if it will read as just another run through the wash cycle.