?Review: Phantom Shadows by Dianne Duvall

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading in 2019 Audio Book Challenge, Audible Romance Package, Reviews / 21 Comments

?Review: Phantom Shadows by Dianne DuvallTitle: Phantom Shadows
Author(s): Dianne Duvall
Series: Immortal Guardians #3
Also in this series: Darkness Dawns , Night Reigns , In Still Darkness , Darkness Rises, Night Unbound , 🎧︎Phantom Embrace, Shadows Strike, Blade of Darkness
Narrator(s): Kirsten Potter
Published by Tantor Audio on October 29, 2012
Length: 11hrs 36mins
Genre(s): Paranormal Romance
Source: Audible Escape
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Series Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it's not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire....
Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can't remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different - and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question - he can't put her in danger. But she isn't asking him....

Phantom Shadows is the third book in the Immortal Guardian series and it took me on one heck of a ride. Riddled with action, suspense, romance and humour it kept me entertained from start to finish.

Phantom Shadows tells Bastien and Melanie’s story. The author introduced them at the start of the series, but I never envisioned them as a couple. 

Bastien’s integration into the Immortal Guardians group was not a smooth one. When I first met him, he was on a mission to destroy the Immortal Guardians, as he believed they were evil. He lived for two centuries believing he was a vampire. Can you imagine his surprise when he discovered he was just like the beings he hunted?
He may be in the group, but he did not feel like he belonged. The majority of the members did not trust him and wanted to see him dead. Although he did not make it easy for them to trust him, with his abrasive and anti-social behaviour. Thankfully, the head of the group believed he could be redeemed and in the end he showed he deserved to be a member of the Immortal Guardians. 

Bastien’s character was complex; there were many layers to him.  I would not consider him a bad person, but misguided. He had a huge heart and a great capacity to love. 

Dr. Melanie Lipton was an interesting character. She appeared in the previous installments, but she failed to make an impression until now. She saw the good in Bastien from outset. I admired her for her strength, intelligence, and forthrightness. She wanted to be with Bastien and she was not afraid to let him know it. She proved a worthy partner in the way she had his back.

I enjoyed hanging out with the couples from the previous installments. I also had a good time reuniting with the other members of the group. New characters were introduced and old enemies destroyed, which made me wonder what direction the series will take in the upcoming installments.

I loved the romance between Bastien and Melanie. It felt real, and I loved the pace at which it developed. 
The action and suspense had me on the edge of my seat. The fight scenes were intense and riveting. There were some interesting outcomes. The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud quite a few times. 

Narration
Once again, Kristen Potter has done an awesome narration. She did a great job with the variety of characters, both male and female. I enjoyed her pacing and tone for each scene. 

Conclusion / Recommendation
Overall, an awesome listen and a great addition to the series. Highly recommend for fans of paranormal romance/urban fantasy

Story Evaluation
Plot
4.5
Narrator (Audio)
5
Overall: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

 

About Dianne Duvall

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. Her debut novel Darkness Dawns, Book 1, was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance – Vampire by The Romance Reviews. Night Reigns, Book 2, was declared an “utterly addictive” Top Pick by RT Book Reviews and was nominated for Best Paranormal Romance 2011 by The Romance Reviews. Phantom Shadows, Book 3, was named a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and Night Owl Reviews. Her Immortal Guardians novella “In Still Darkness” was released in the Predatory Anthology in May 2013. Darkness Rises, Book 4, was also nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance. Night Unbound, Book 5 in the series, will be released on September 2, 2014. When she isn’t writing, Dianne loves all things creative. When her nose isn’t buried in a book, she is very active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading
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21 responses to “?Review: Phantom Shadows by Dianne Duvall

  1. Lindy Gomez

    This sounds like an addictive series! I enjoy reading about complex characters, and I love it when they redeem themselves. It’s always so much fun getting to be reunited with all of the previous characters/couples in a series. I’m glad that you enjoyed it so much., It looks like I need to add this series to my TBR for when I’m in need of a new Urban Fantasy Series! Great Review Nadene 🙂

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

  2. I do love a gruff hero and the heroine who entices him. It sounds like his inclusion was hard won, but well deserved!

    Great review!

  3. Katiria Rodriguez

    Great review Ohh this book really looks and sounds absolutely amazingly fantastic and right up my alley as well. I’m really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book, thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

  4. kindlemom1

    Ooo this definitely sounds fun! Wonderful review and glad you liked this so much!