• The Guardian

  • A Dream-Hunter Novel
  • By: Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • Narrated by: Fred Berman
  • Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,189 ratings)

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The Guardian  By  cover art

The Guardian

By: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Narrated by: Fred Berman
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Publisher's summary

In Sherrilyn Kenyon's The Guardian, Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm's most vicious guardian…

Seth's time is running out. If he can't hand over the entrance to Olympus, his own life and those of his people will be forfeit. No matter the torture, Seth hasn't been able to break the god in his custody. Then there's the beautiful Dream-Hunter Lydia: She isn't just guarding the gates of Olympus—she's holding back one of the world's darkest powers. If she fails, an ancient curse will haunt the earth once more and no one will be safe. But evil is always seductive...

©2011 Sherrilyn Kenyon (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Brisk, ironic, sexy, and relentlessly imaginative. These are not your mother's vampire novels.” —The Boston Globe

A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality.” —Publishers Weekly

Engaging.” —Entertainment Weekly

What listeners say about The Guardian

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Kenyon at Her Finest!

With the completion of this book, I have now read every one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter/Were Hunter/Hellchaser books. These might look like four different series, but they are all part and parcel of one big series, and should be read in order for the full benefit. I would suggest that anyone who loves the paranormal romance genre to do so. They are, collectively, an absolutely fantastic ride through the Dark Hunter world. Her imagination and world building is really unparalleled in her genre. I can't find the words to do the series justice.

However, some books taken alone within the series have been "misses" for me. Still enjoyable, but missing some indefinable spark. In each book, there are two main characters who conquer various obstacles to find true love, fairly typical of any type of romantic fiction. A good book along these lines allows the reader to "feel" the relationship between the two main characters. In some of her books she does this very well. In others, not so much. It's usually her shorter books that leave me wanting a better connection for the lovers in the book, and I was a bit worried when I saw that this was a fairly short book. Thankfully though, I really felt and enjoyed the relationship between Lydia and Seth.

The reader, Fred Berman, did an excellent job. His inflections added to the drama and tension, and he did a fine job with Lydia's voice. It's often hard for a man to do female voices, but he does it well, without making it sound too high pitched or over the top.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Love Fred Berman

The story was good. Loved the main characters, but I've decided that I'm glad Iistened to this instead of reading it. I think Fred Berman did a fabulous job with the characterization of this book. I'm not sure reading this would have captured my attention as well as the audiobook did.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

SECOND LISTEN - JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME

Although this was the second time I've listened to this brilliant Dream Hunter book (first time was over a year ago!) it is the first time I've review it, and I was still captivated from start to finish.

Well, what do we want from our paranormal/romance books - an imaginative and interesting plot, preferably written by a gifted author, with great paranormal characters and creatures, a hunky leading male who has a good romantic chemistry with his love interest (hopefully it includes some 'hot n heavy chapters) all brought to life by the voice of a brilliant narrator. Well this ticks those boxes............. and more.

Worth a credit? Apart from the above criteria, it was also very very touching, traumatic and tense and I have found all of SK's books to be credit worthy - so it's a definite YES from me.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Seth is officially in my top 5 men in this series.

Read from June 12 to 13, 2013

Read/Listened for Fun (Kindle/Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.75

Audio Rating: 4.50 (Not part of the overall Rating)

First Thought when Finished: Seth is officially in my top 5 favorite men from this series!

Story Thoughts: Going to say it: I was SHOCKED that a Dream Hunter (they are my least favorite of the three types) book touched me as much as The Guardian did! There were many times during the story where I would gasp at the amount of torture that the lead character Seth had to endure. His trials and tribulations were heart-string pulling and made me want to put him in a bear hug! I also liked how the story carried forward the overall story arch and of course took us back to Sanctuary. Since the Were Hunters are my favorite, I was pretty much giddy as a school girl when we made a visit there. Overall, this was just a fantastic story all around!

Character Thoughts: Lydia was a leading lady that was both fun and kick ass. She was perfect for Seth because she understood exactly what he needed. She also was smart enough to see behind his initial impression on her but also sassy enough to put him in his place. The moments I liked best were when one of them would “cross a line” but were adult enough to pull back and ask what the line was. Lydia had to be that because Seth has a major learning curve for trust. Seth was the epitome of the tragically scarred hero. His back story was almost as heart breaking as Ash. Seriously, it was on that level horrid! He ranks with my favorites: Dev, Talon, Ash, Fang, and now Seth. Those are my 5 and it took a lot to knock Sundown off that list! I loved Jared and Solin too. I am hoping we see more of them in the books to come!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Fred Berman / Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

I have listened to this series on/off from the beginning. Pretty much if Fred or Holter Graham narrate then I pick it up. Fred is excellent at getting the emotion that Sherry writes across in the narration. His pacing, accenting, and characterization is fantastic. Seriously you can’t go wrong when Fred is narrating.

Final Thoughts: Wonderful addition to the series. I can’t believe it took me forever to read this!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love this author

I have all her books. Paperback and through audible. I have truly enjoyed everyone of them. I recommend if you start to read/listen to her books that you start at the beginning or you won't understand all the different characters. But the book is so well written you would enjoy it any way.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Where's the ending?

It started off strong and I was really enjoying it then it was just over. It's like the author walked away and forgot about it 3/4 of the way through and realized "Oh Shit! I need to turn this in!" and wrapped up with a few quick words.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another home run.

Like many of Sherrilyn’s books, Seth is a tortured hero. It’s hard not to reach into the pages and give him a hug. I’m a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon and have been slowly working my way through all of her books. I have not been disappointed. Some of my favorites are Dance with the Devil, Devil may Cry, and Born of Night. I will defiantly re-listen to the dark-hunter series again in the future. Sherrilyn also goes by the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor and I plan on trying some of them out next, but alas I will have to read them in book form since Audible doesn’t have them yet.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If Jaden told you to jump off a bridge...

What did you love best about The Guardian?

I love the themes Sherrilyn gives her readers. Love, trust, redemption and the power to survive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This story tugged at my heart strings. I just love the humor and grace this author gives her characters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Heartwrenching love story of courage & sacrifice!

What did you love best about The Guardian?

Seth-obviously! For all of the punishment & tortures that he has endured-he hasn't lost his capacity for kindness, empathy and caring for someone other than himself. He cloaked all of these emotions through his bravado and intimidation of 'ruthlessness' because he had to survive his servitude to Noir and Azura. These same characteristics are seen as 'weakness' to his master so he knows better than to have any evidence of them lest he be punished more because of it. It was a little hard to take with Seth's interaction with Noir. With all of the sadistic punishments-physical and mental character assasinations, Seth's self worth was loathsome at best. The only emotions that remained were violence and hatred. But in spite of it all- Seth wanted to be loved and cherished. Learning about his childhood-self serving bitch of a mother; who to gain favor of Seth's total bastard of a father, broke a five year old's legs and left him to die in a desert. A father who rejected him as an infant. Being sold by his foster family to indentured servitude just before his demi-god powers were starting to develop. Amongst the repeated beatings- he was also raped. NO ONE ever helped Seth through all he indured-so much that even a mere touch was sheer agony for him. Despite all that- he kept Lydia away from his master because he knew what tortures that she would be subjected to. Although Seth initially was using Lydia as a bargaining chip to trade her for the 'key ' that Solin had to bring back for Noir to overtake Olympus- he hid Lydia in his room and did't tell Noir about her. The interaction between her and Seth develops over his learning how to use a laptop. During the times that Seth was summoned to either Noir or Azura for respective tortures-he cared for Lydia with food, clothes and use of his elaborate bathroom. Seth let Lydia sleep in his bed while stayed up-mainly because he has nightmares, but also because he wanted to protect her from prowling demons. When Lydia discovers what Seth has gone through his whole life-her heart aches for him and she wants to free him from his miserable life. Despite his constant distrust in people- Seth fell in love with Lydia. Lydia recognizes how much inner strength Seth possesses and his reaction to the world when they escape Noir's realm. Lydia discovers that she is in love with Seth-she shows him that touch and tenderness can and does exist between people. I also liked Jared-who was sincerely sorry for his part in Seth's enslavement and wanted to help him despite his own tortured situation.

What other book might you compare The Guardian to and why?

Acheron- his story was similar to Seth's. Also Zarek's story had some elements that were similar. Both Acheron and Zarek had to endure unending servitude to others who were sadistic in their treatment of them. Yet they still possess the innate capacity to empathize
with others and willingness to care for someone other than themselves. While they berate themselves for showing such "weaknesses" when they weren't shown the same courtesy-they do so all the same. Because it was the right thing to do. They would even protect
those whom they love with their very lives.

Have you listened to any of Fred Berman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ah-yes! Mr. Berman was the narrator for my favorite Sherrilyn Kenyon book - Night Play. I always liked this book in print, but when I heard it on audible.com- I was in love!!! His narration of this book made it come alive for me with excellent portrails of Vane and Bride. Mr. Berman also narrated Ms. Kenyon's other books Dream Hunter (which was my first book in print of hers), and Dream Chaser (which first introduces us to Seth). I love Mr. Berman's voice and his characterization of Ms. Kenyon's books. The accent that he uses for Seth is very compelling and sexy. When he reads the bedroom scenes-they are hot! I often find myself looking for either Mr.Berman or Holter Graham as the narrators for her books. They both put such conviction and passion into their narrations. So much so that you believe that you are not only being read to but that you are participating in the story and the male leads are talking to you. Mr. Berman and Mr. Graham could both read the phonebook to me and I would melt. Love them both!!!!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but unfortunatley I didn't. It took me over two days to listen to this book.

Any additional comments?

It does have a happy ending-although it left me wanting to learn more about what happened to Seth, Lydia, Jared and Noir.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Story!

The book started out confusing but I caught up after the 2nd chapter. I kept getting confused on the names of the characters, my slowness not Mrs. Kenyon's fault. Great performance by Fred Berman. He is one of my favorite narrators next to Holter Graham. They both do such a wonderful job reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's novels. This was a wonderful story full of excitement and love. It was a little too short but... I never want the book to end.

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