Stone Guardian

Entwined Realms Series, Book 1

By: Danielle Monsch

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Gryphons flying past skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.

Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species, nor has she wanted to. Her life is as ordinary as it gets - that is, until one day she walks out of her apartment and is attacked by a mob of Zombies, only to be saved by a Gargoyle.

Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but due to a cryptic prophecy, Terak, leader of the Gargoyles, has been watching over the human woman for months. While he can find no reason why the woman has been singled out, something about her stirs every protective instinct within him. When the attack confirms that the threats against her exist and are real, he convinces Larissa that though their races have never been allies, the best chance of discovering why she has been brought into his world is by working together.

In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa's life, but the fate of this New Realm as well.

©2013 Danielle Monsch (P)2013 Tantor

HO HUM - SORRY BUT MIXED FEELINGS WITH THIS LISTEN

Two realms collide leaving the humans to inhabit one part and the rest are left to Zombies, Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, Mages, Necromancers and all sorts of paranormal creatures.

The Oracle has told the hunky Gargoyle Clan Leader Terak that a History Teacher called Larissa is going to be very important to him and his Clan and that he must watch her for 3 months. Which he dutifully does but during that time she begins to fascinate him so when Zombies start to attack her he willingly flies to her rescue and so their friendship begins. But, as the attacks increase, and it's obvious she's in terrible danger, they start to fathom out the mystery of who is doing this and why and slowly their friendship turns to more and Terak, who's innocent, sweet and romantic, has to decide between loyalty to his Clan or love.

All the world-building is under construction but is slowly being described, there's humor, plenty of action, great chemistry between the H/H, plot twists, some interesting and amusing secondary characters, a few sex scenes in part 2 which were touching but not hot n heavy and their romance was a tender journey of discovery and sacrifice. There were a few unanswered questions and a lack of descriptions but, on the whole, this was a fairly good start.

The problem I couldn't overcome was the conflicts that my fantasy mental images kept throwing up - as the title said, he was a 'Stone' Guardian so how could he fly, kiss, talk, wrap his wings around her, etc etc and how could she suck his (minds out of the gutter and wait for it) bottom lip, hold hands, run her fingers through his hair etc etc. Yes, he does have a human form which he very occasionally turned into but all these other descriptions were when he was 'supposedly' made of stone. Coupled with this, and I'm truly sorry, but I just couldn't picture a Gargoyle as being a sexy alpha hero type when the name conjures up a grotesque carved human. The picture on the cover is great so why put stone in the title at all and the picture sure isn't a Gargoyle more like a dark angel - but hey that's just my opinion and maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

Worth a credit? Mmmm a difficult question, yes it was enjoyable, packed a lot in and if it had been called something else then yes maybe but sadly I don't think this is a series for me. But to end on a positive note - Tavia Gilbert did an excellent job at narrating it.

Didn't want to pause for this one

What made the experience of listening to Stone Guardian the most enjoyable?

It was full of action, romance, thriller. I love the interaction between the members of the story. I do think we could have learned a little more about some of them but I hope in the next book we do.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment she told him she cared for him the way he was not what others expected him to look like.

Hits All My Wants

I love PRN stories and this one did it for me. I love Tavia Gilbert as a narrator, and once more, she did not disappoint.

There is a review for this that I read that spoke of the heroin being the perfect blend of naive and strong. Larissa does live in her own little world and is very naive to the paranormal around her, but she knows this and recognizes it. She seeks help when needed, and generally doesn't do anything stupid.

Terak is just simply perfect. His strong, bad-ass, smart, and sweet. There is an immediate connection between him and Larissa that somehow still develops and lets the two of them figure it out without it being instantaneous and all consuming in the story.

If you like PRN, I strongly recommend this for a good read.

it was okay

I wish there's a little bit more depth I don't know it was missing something for me angst I guess?

Enjoyable book

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy and otherworldly type books. the characters are well developed and a storyline that keeps you interested.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles, I never thought they'd be so hot. Larissa although she isn't the badass heroin I love seeing, she's tough in her own way. I can relate to her in so many ways, I love that she has decided to take control of her life.Terak watching over Larissa is similar to any other paranormal series, but the personality of the characters made them standout.

omg loved it

I totally loved this book it had everything from action, romance, and danger. #chicklit #lovediy

Perfectly average

The story was fine. Had a plot and progressed thru it well enough. The smut was actually well done and the language used made it more tantalizing but I found that last chapter difficult to decipher in audio form. Perhaps reading it would allow me to understand who was speaking each part.

Gargoyles and romance who needs anything else!

This book was great. I read it first in print but Tavia Gilbert really brings something to the telling of the story. I really enjoy Danielle Monsch writing style and can not wait for the next book in this series I really hope they do an audio version for that as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes gargoyles, suspense, romance, mayhem, and who also has a good sense of humor.

Gargoyles are sexy

I really liked the book. I didn't realize that gargoyle could be so appealing.
Tavia Gilbert is voice that never fails to deliver. Hope for more books like this
I chose the rating because it is an appealing subject and a spicy romantic love story
I was given this audio book for an honest review.