ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ EDGE OF DAWN BY LARA ADRIAN

Title:  Edge of Dawn (Midnight Breed, Book Eleven)

Author:  Lara Adrian

Expected Release Date: February 26, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

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.

Book Review

Yes, we have moved twenty years into the future and the world now knows of the Breeds existence.  Mira is an adult, captain of the Order, and recovering from the unexpected death of Kellan--The man who she shared only one night of passion before he was taken away from her in a brutal death. 

Mira still struggles with her grief and her contempt for those responsible for Kellan's death--a group of Rebels who blew up the warehouse that Kellan ran into before it exploded, killing him in its raging fire.

Mira's anger and grief is the source of her attack on a human inside a bar who is known for his association with the Rebels. Her violent actions force Lucan's hand and Mira is removed from her position as captain of the Order as well as an extended leave of absence. 

Peace between the humans and the Breed have been strained and a conference has been arranged--bringing both races together in the hopes of easing tensions in their fragile relationship. A brilliant, young scientist, Jeremy Ackmeyer,  is scheduled to appear at this meeting with Mira as his bodyguard. She has special instructions to pick him up and escort him to the World Peace Summit. 

When a group of Rebels kidnap Jeremy at his home, Mira is taken as well. She is brought to their hideout and comes face to face with the mysterious Rebel leader--a man simply known as Bowman. Bowman wants Jeremy to pay for the dangerous weapon he invented that could annihilate the Breed race. And Bowman has a secret identity that brings Mira to her knees. He is the man she has spent the last eight years grieving--Kellan Archer. 

Why did Kellan decide to stay away, have everyone think that he was dead? How can he be the leader of the Rebels-- enemy to the Order and especially to Mira?

There is a lot of political maneuvering in Edge of Dawn. Lucan struggles with wanting to do things the old way and loathes the bureaucratic bullshit he now has to swallow. Then there is a secretive group that is determined to make sure the breeds are exterminated. 

The great thing about this book is seeing the children of the Breeds grown--Nathan, Rafe, Dare, Aric...just to name a few. Their stories unfold and plot possibilities abound. Lara has laid the groundwork to continue this series, hopefully, and I cannot wait to see where she takes these new characters. 

For me, the pacing of Edge of Dawn had its slow moments, but there had to be some new world building and new character development, which slows the tempo just a bit.  

Kellan and Mira's relationship is tumultuous--filled with angst, passion, and despair. The smexy times between Mira and Kellan is SCORCHING.  More so, I think, than in the past. Adrian captures the sensual side as well as the emotional impact with these scenes--sheer perfection.  

Edge of Dawn is a great addition for the Midnight Breed series with a fresh spin to a senescent tale.