Divine Blood

Guardians of the Maiden Series, Book 1

By: Beck Michaels

Narrated by: Melissa Moran, Aaron Shedlock

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

A map to a place they each desire. A destiny they didn't expect.

The Shadow demon nearly took everything from Dynalya Astron, and it would soon return for more. When she discovers a way to fight back, she must go on a perilous journey and risk it all for those she holds dear. Along the way, she meets Cassiel, a Celestial Prince with magic blood and wings as black as his heart. He wants nothing to do with Dyna until he learns she could lead him to a place he has been searching for all his life.

But reaching their destination is not as easy as they thought, nor are they the only ones searching for it. With danger at every turn and harrowing secrets between them, the quest will require much more than determination. They must fight for what they desire - or die trying.

©2020 Beck Michaels (P)2021 Tantor

Great new series

I really enjoyed this story, it's a great start to a new series. I love the characters and the world-building. I definitely will be looking forward to more.

loved the world

Great read. The characters are well written, and the story flows nicely. I'm always excited when paranormal creatures are mixed, and this story drew me in.

great narration.

A fantastic start to this series!

I originally read this book last year, but decided to reread it via audio, in anticipation for book two’s release!

I still stand by my previous thoughts that this is a fantastic start to what feels as though it’ll be a truly epic fantasy read. I love the quest storyline, as well as the group of somewhat reluctant allies Dyna has surrounded herself with. Dyna’s naivety and almost indignant innocents still grates at me at times, but I also recognize that is an important part of the storyline and her character arc. If anything, I am right there with her companions when she stresses them out, haha!

I loved the female narrator in this, though I did find the male narrator to be a little too breathy and lacking clear annunciation at times, making it difficult to listen to his parts at much of an increased listening speed (I listen at 2.5-3x).

Other than that though, I am so glad this book is accessible on audio now and look forward to the sequel!

Loved It

I Loved everything about this book, the characters, the story and the narrators! 💖 Can't wait for book 2

accents are confusing

it was a little boring till about half way through. I'm not sure why half the time the characters talk with an accent and the other half they don't. it should be consistent.

Mesmerized

Absolutely loved the book but the audiobook is in a league of its own! I have reread Divine Blood multiple times in physical form and listened to the audiobook just as much. I love these characters, the story/plot, and the narrators.

The narrators really brought the story to life and kept me interested in the audiobook so much. These two are perfection for GOTM characters.

Remarkable...

Wow, the voice acting, plot, and multiple POV are so incredible. The mystery and plot within this book is mind-blowing, I love how everything that happens in the book later on has a deeper connection of how the book unfolds. I have never read a book where I love the epilogue more than the other chapters in the book, its a great cliffhanger for the next book.

In love with this world and storyline

The performance was good, took a little getting used to with the two voices and at time it was hard to tell what perspective it was with the male voice but once you get into it, it gets easier! For being a clean romance, they did a good job not making it feel way too innocent while also building their tension and relationship. I was so bummed when it was over! Can’t wait to jump into the next one!

Fated Mates, One Female Character, Potential

This is a high 3 stars, but not quite a 4.

I mostly liked it, but I just didn't love it. I really liked Zev, I'm primed to like the green guy (I've already forgotten his name), and I didn't dislike Dyna or Cas, but I did spend the whole book practically begging for another important female character. Looks like the sequels will have that, but only a few moments in this one. Plot was interesting enough. World-building had some interesting moments.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the author is mixed race, and I just felt like the conversations surrounding mixed race individuals in the book (and these conversations are pretty abundant, this is a major theme of the book) would have been handled with more care and nuance from a mixed race author. They Felt like they were written by a white person, and that put me off.

Plus, I deeply dislike fated mates, and this has that.

But I'm definitely curious enough to read book 2. If that one doesn't grab me better, I definitely won't read the 30hr 3rd book.

Characters Are Too Y/A

With 2 hrs left I stopped listening. At that point, it was clear that the story does not conclude at the end of the first book and I'm not interested enough to buy any more. There is nothing wrong with the story or the voice performers. I love a good epic adventure. There are lots of characters with their own motivations and backstories. Honestly, I think I only got the tip of the iceberg as far as characters and storylines go. An interesting set of twins were introduced right before I stopped listening. If the adventure/quest part had been the main focus I think I would have enjoyed the book. Maybe... maybe not. The female MC was not that interesting to me. She is the ultimate good, naive, helpless, maiden. She was less of a character and more of a focal point for all the men to rally around and defend. She was the purity that inspired them to be better. She was boring. She kept wandering off and needing to be saved. Then she started talking about her feelings and I couldn't go on. "Does he care? Doesn't he care? I don't know. I should avoid eye contact. Let me wander off..."