Guardian of Honor

Alexa Fitzwalter just lost her best friend Sophie in a car accident. As she is still mourning her loss, she is catapulted to another world where she is to be their savior. Lladrana is being invaded by evil monsters. Their defenses are failing and they must summon an Exotique to rebuild their fences. They conduct a Summoning and Alexa is the woman that is pulled into their world. Alexa is stuck in a place where she doesn’t understand the language nor the customs. She is put through rigorous tests and she passes with flying colors. Ultimately, they want her to choose a mate which will keep her in Lladrana forever.

Alexa is a vibrant heroine. Although she is frightened and bewildered by her situation, she is able to adapt to it quickly. She becomes what is expected of her and surpasses even her own expectations. Not a true Alpha but not a true Beta either, Bastien vacillates between the two. He has a tender side but is also a fighter. He knows how to protect what is his. Alexa and Bastien are a perfect fit. They have a rocky beginning, but it develops into a rich and fulfilling relationship. Bastien is able to humble himself for her when he realizes she is the one for him. The scenes between these two are very touching and highly emotional. They are well-developed personalities and the reader could visualize them.

Besides the two leads, the author introduces a slew of secondary characters. Of interest are: Luthan (Bastien’s brother) and Reynardus (their father). Reynardus comes across as villainous, especially his treatment of his sons, but there is a sadness that surrounds him. By the end of the book, this reader was very sympathetic to him as we understood his actions. Luthan is the ever supportive and loving brother. He does everything he can so Alexa and Bastien end up together.

Guardian of Honor is a wonderful beginning to a new series. The author provides quite a bit of background information about Lladrana and the people who inhabit it. It is a fascinating world where magic and monsters exists. The intricacies of the political landscape is fully explored and it just adds to the overall enjoyment. This reader was captivated by this world and looks forward to the next installment in 2006!!

Reviewed by: Susan T