A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight Breed Series)

All of Lara Adrian's books are magnificent and never short of excitement and suspense! I always go to another world in her books! If you want a good book to sit down and read and actually enjoy hers are the best!

Defy the Dawn was fantastic! Lara knows how to tell a story and keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you start reading the book you won't be able to stop. This whole series is awesome every single book. This is a must read.

Defy the Dawn felt more like a transition book than any other in the series. And I even get why it was necessary. Zael needed to secure an alliance before the impending war with Selene. But I'm much more interested in stories involving the Breed warriors' children as opposed to stories involving the Atlanteans.

The only thing interesting was Brynne's secret. But then she was barely put to the test. The two times she could have been a hero she ended up needing to be saved. I thought it was a wasted opportunity to show some girl power. Adrian chose to show her vulnerability instead. Not a favorite of the series.

*Purchased through iTunes*

My reading adventures have recently got me going back to series that I read and loved years ago. Now I’m catching up on books that have been published during a genre hiatus I took. Adrian’s Midnight Breed series happens to be one of those series that made me fall in love with the paranormal romance genre. The world has evolved so much since I got to know this world.

Brynne and Zael have been present for the past couple of books. There attraction for each other had already been noted. As a couple falling into their love story they had good chemistry and plenty of sexy page time. As a couple moving a series forward they didn’t add anything. Perhaps in a future book they will be the connection that the Order needs when it comes to getting something from the exiled Atlantean colony. In the now their story could have been a novella.

Zael was one of Selene’s guards before Atlantis fell. He has seen firsthand the atrocities that the Breed Ancients were capable of. He also has experienced enough of Selene as a vengeful ruler that he has chosen to live his life in the hidden Atlantean colony.

One of the things I’ve wondered about with this series is what happened to the Dragos experiments. While torturing Breed Mates in his labs he created his Hunters, Breed females, and Daywalkers. Brynne is one of those creations. She is also Tavia’s half-sister. She also just earned the title of my least favorite heroine of the Midnight Breed series.

My biggest disappointment with Defy the Dawn was that the conflict that is currently keeping the Order on the brink of war seemed minimal to the point that it was almost nonexistent. Opus Nostrum did cause a few issues in their constant trouble making with the Order. Atlantean Queen Selene made some threats. There were of course some skirmishes that had to be fought but none of it seemed to move that part of this world forward any.

Readers are also at the point where we are fourteen books into a series. We’ve also had a huge time jump that allowed most of the original ten couples to have children. Every single one of those couples either had a single line of dialogue or they were randomly mentioned. It wasn’t necessarily overwhelming but it seemed unnecessary.

After the strong roles they played in the previous book, Bound to Darkness, and seeing the sparks between them, I was glad the mysterious Atlantean, Zael, and loner breed female, Brynn, got their story. Each installment of the serious is an easy, pleasure for my Midnight Breed-loving heart.

Defy the Dawn is the fourteenth installment of a series that doesn't work well standalone as the overall story path continues from what came before it.

The Order of Breed vampires face danger from two sides in their work to protect humans and their own people. Opus Nostrum is a hidden terrorist organization attacking the Order and other peace-seeking organization. Their agenda is still hidden, but their methods are insidious and lethal. But more scary are the secret race of Atlanteans led by revenge-seeking Queen Selene.

I loved the action-packed excitement of these series when the battles are never easy for the Breed. But the romances are just as exciting. This book splits time between some battle scenes between the Order and Opus and between the romance. I enjoyed the story, but also felt a little detached. I think it was the push and pull in the romance as well as the feeling that the story felt like two halves that didn't mesh as well as they could have. Lucas and the rest of the Order are fighting Opus and then it flips to Brynne's secrets and the romance. And then the romance pair has their own isolated adventure for the last section. Not bad things, but just felt disjointed to me so I felt a bit distant.

The romance doesn't involve members of the Order or the newer generation which had me curious about the pair. This one involves a breed female who came from the group experimented on by Dragos and discovers she is sister to Tavia, a heroine, from earlier in the series. Brynne's had a rough row to hoe and holds everyone at arm's length ignoring all overtures from Tavia and her friends to get close because of her fear that they will reject her because of her big monstrous secret. She tries to push Kael away and even says and does some ornery stuff to do it. She knows where to jab because she has more interest and attraction in him than she wants to admit. Kael is Atlantean, but he rebelled and left when he saw Selene doing things that were wrong. He defended his friend Cass and protected his daughter, Jordana, and now has the work of building a relationship with his own newly discovered daughter, Dylan. He's fascinated by the prickly Brynne who he knows is attracted to him and hiding something big. I loved how he didn't put up with her issues and worked to prove that he didn't care once he knew her 'dreadful' secret. He accepted her no matter what, but it ends up being Brynne's great fear that does the worst damage to her happiness.

Things are left in an ominous place as always- though no cliffhangers- and leaves me excited to see what is coming next for the vampires of the Order. This is a wonderful long-lasting paranormal romance series and I can heartily recommend it to other PNR lovers.

I loved this story! Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series is awesome!
This paranormal romance is full of action, drama, suspense and romance and is the 14th book in this series.
Brynne Kirkland a daywalker of the Breed who is a tough female devoted to her law enforcement career who for years has kept others at an arms length so they would never find out what she has become from being created and raised in a lab by a madman.
Zael is an Atlantean warrior who along with many others defected from Atlantis when their queen bent on revenge became a leader they longer wanted to follow. Zael is thrust into a fight that he didn't ask for, but is needed in order to save humans, Breed and his people from a diabolical enemy.
As he and Brynne team up they find that they are also fighting an attraction that makes no sense because the Order and the Atlanteans have been at odds for years. Soon their passion defies all of this!

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

This was definitely a different type of Midnight Breed book. Rather than focusing on the breed, really, it had a lot to do with the Atlantean race.

Brynne, who we met previously, is newly out of a job because of her work helping the breed warriors. She's used to having a very solitary life so when she goes from London to the breed compound, it's a bit jarring to have people in her business 100% of the time. There is also the issue of the very sexy and alluring Zael. These two are obviously the stars of this book and will obviously end up together, but they certainly do not make it easy.

Brynne is filled with secrets and issues that Zael only seems more inspired to tackle. It seem the challenge is even more attractive to him. Aside from their romantic storyline, there is also the ever-present terrorist group who is taking out large scale targets. This escalation and the mystery of the Atlantean crystal eventually take the Order to the doors of an Atlantean colony. Or rather, it takes some volunteers - Brynne and Zael - to the colony. If you thought the colony would have less drama or strife, you'd be wrong. It looks like Brynne and Zael just can't catch a break, but don't worry, we get our HEA.

Defy the Dawn is the story of Brynne Kirkland and Ekizael the Atlantean warrior and how they come together as a couple. I did really enjoy the story, but I felt that there was a lot of pertinent information missing. For example, Ekizael’s (Zael) last name. I looked back through the book and I can’t find it anywhere. Perhaps the Atlanteans to do not have last names. An explanation would have been helpful. Brynne is a Daywalker but, the story does not go into detail as to how or why she became a Daywalker. It briefly goes into her background and we can only assume that is what made her a Daywalker. I can’t remember if these things were discussed in previous books or not. I would have thought it important to put in the book about these characters.

There are other things that were left out of this story that would have been helpful background information for people picking up the series for the first time. Considering this is the fourteenth book in the series you can well imagine that there is a wealth of background information that could not all be included. I would suggest reading the series in order so as not to feel lost. There are so many characters, matings, and children that it can seem overwhelming for the newcomer. This is not a standalone story.

This book is certainly a building block in the series and not to be missed if you are a Midnight Breed Series fan. The mating of these two characters is a significant plot point regarding the war. We will more than likely see more of Brynne and Zael in future installments. Considering that the Atlanteans now know Brynne’s secrets but, her family is still in the dark, I would hope that there is more still to come in their story.

All of the books we receive at Siren Book Reviews are complimentary in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars for this latest installment in the Midnight Breed series. Lara Adrain once again gives us a book full of nail biting suspense as our favorite paranormal crew fights against the evil that is rising around them.
I fell in love with this series the very moment I opened the first book. Defy The Dawn is an amazing journey between two people who have secrets and lines neither want to cross.
Lara Adrian gives such life and real emotions to her "make-believe" family that it's always hard to put her books down. And believe me Zael and Brynne's story is no different.
Brynne has always kept to herself and I think if I had a secret like hers, I'd be the same way. Holy Hell, Brynne has something running around inside her that makes the things that go bump in the night look not quite so scary.
Zael is sweet and lovable. He's also hot as all get out. As all Lara's men are. But he's also a little something more. I loved his determination to make Brynne see things the way he does. And I also loved the fact that he didn't run. Once he decided to let his fascination with her off it's leash, things really heated up.
Zael and Brynne work together to help the Breed and the Warriors beat an enemy that just may be a bit harder to defeat than anyone knows.
If you love this series as I do, you won't want to miss out on Defy The Dawn.
An ARC was provided for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
Once again Lara Adrian proves why I still read and love the Midnight Breed series, even after 14 books! Defy the Dawn is full of action, suspense and romance between Zael and Brynne that made me feel like I was reading one of the first books in the series all over again. The chemistry in this book is off the charts from the first page to the last.

This book does take a little different twist than I thought it would but I think that made it better, new and fresh. Lara Adrian has a way of expanding this series with new characters and story lines that add strength and volume while remaining true to the original amazing cast that we all love and yes you get to see every one from previous in Defy the Dawn!!!

I will definitely keep reading this series for a long time to come!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

My love of the Midnight Breed Series is still intact Lara Adrian did it again with book #14 Defy the Dawn. As always the world building is awesome & the development of the characters is outstanding. I love that we are able to see some of our older Breed favorites even if in small bites as well as learning about a new race the Atlantean’s.
Defy the Dawn gives us even more knowledge of the original Gen One’s while leading into another Midnight Breed book. You can not go wrong reading this series & book #14. Defy the Dawn has me counting the days to the release of book #15 there was so much in this book that appeared to be ground work for the next in the series I am sure our love of the Breed will continue.

The Breed series has been one of my favorite series ever and Defy the Dawn continues on with the series amazingly. Brynne is a Dragos' experiment, one of a kind and now one knows what she is, not even her half-sister. Nathaniel is an Atlantean and is attracted to Brynne, more than he ever has been with a female. When bombings around the world start happening with Opus, Nathaniel and Brynne need to start working together and Brynne finds it harder and harder to ignore her feelings for Nathaniel. Another well-written book by Lara Adrian. We are introduced to two possible couples...can't wait for what's next to come!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review!

Brynne Kirkland, a JUSTIS agent, and Zael, an Atlantean Warrior, met in the previous book and this book often references those interactions. I usually try to reread the previous book in a series to refresh my memory of the series. I didn't reread the previous book this time and I often felt like I was missing and/or forgetting something. I recommend reading Bound to Darkness before reading this book.

Right from the beginning we know that Brynne is hiding a secret regarding her upbringing and feels it will keep her from forming any relationship with Zael despite the obvious attraction between them. I loved seeing the older Order members, it seemed that Brynne fit in with the older generation due to her connection to the team through her half sister Tavia Chase. In fighting alongside the Order, Zael and Brynne are thrust together and must rely on each other among as they meet with precarious allies.

I look forward to rereading this story after a more recent reading of Bound to Darkness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This might have Spoilers::::::

At first I was not looking forward to a book on Zael. To me he was not part of the Breed he is an Atlantian. I was very wrong. The story of Zael & Brynne is great. To learn more of Brynne about being raise by Dragos in the lab. The things done to create her and how Zael falls in love with her knowing she is a Breed daywalker.
The war with Opus Nostrum was taken up to a new level. The bombing of places all over the world with no warning leaves the Order wondering who is next. Needing the help from Zael to get the other Atlantians to help against the new threat from Selene. This book has all the action that we love about the Breed series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.