Week 35 Review: Cliff's Descent

From Goodreads:

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers a novel--set in the "fast-paced" (Publishers Weekly) and "totally addictive" (RT Book Reviews) world of the Immortal Guardians--that revolves around a vampire... one who has become a friend and trusted ally of the powerful warriors.

Every mortal who works at network headquarters knows that vampires reside below them. They were the first to surrender to the powerful Immortal Guardians who hunt them. And they did so, hoping they can be saved, that the doctors and scientists the Immortal Guardians employ can halt the progressive brain damage that robs all vampires of their sanity. Though curious, Emma never thought she would meet any of the vampires who remain under heavy guard several stories beneath her office. Then mercenaries strike, bombarding the building with heavy artillery. The vampires are freed to join the fray... and Cliff saves her life.

From that moment on, she can't stop thinking about him regardless of the restrictions placed on interactions with vampires. When Emma discovers a way to speak to Cliff at network headquarters, she becomes even more fascinated by him. He's smart, charming, and honorable to his core despite the darkness that lies ahead. And he seems to crave her company as much as she does his. Aware of the eyes that watch them, they keep their encounters innocent, limiting them to those of mere acquaintances. Nevertheless, their attraction grows and she soon falls in love with him even as the madness begins to claim him.

Cliff realizes his future is dark. As one vampire friend after another succumbs to insanity, hope that network doctors will be able to find a cure in time to keep him from meeting the same fate begins to dwindle, leaving him little to look forward to... until he meets Emma. Just speaking to her brings him a happiness and contentment he hasn't experienced since before his transformation. And when they finally find a way to be alone together, everything changes. Emma burrows her way right into his heart and quiets the voices. She sparks dreams of a future with her that strengthen his determination to beat back the madness. But as time passes, the voices grow louder and insanity begins to chip away at him until he fears it will eradicate every part of him she fell in love with.

Will the two of them find a way to defy the odds and find their happily-ever-after? Or will Cliff's descent consume him?

My Review:
I loved reading this book! Cliff has been an important character from near the beginning-and the hope for him to survive what being a vampire was doing to him was dwindling. So that he got his story-I knew that things would work out in the end, even if they got worse before they got better!

This book covers all the time that Cliff has been in the series, when he was working with Bastien, and how they were scooped up by the Network. It was hard at some points, because they lost friends, and Cliff's own sanity was slipping. But there were happy moments as well! 

I had such a great time watching his and Emma's relationship progress! Of their falling in love, dealing with his condition-and the hope that they'd find a cure. There were ups and downs, some moments of hope, like when he was able to be topside. I adored them together! 

The way things ended, oh! On one hand, I'm glad that things worked out. But on the other, the way things worked out almost certainly won't be repeatable, so the other vampires still have to wait on a cure. I'm sure one will come, but will it be in time for all the other ticking time bombs they have at headquarters? 

This was another fantastic read, and I can't wait for the next installment in this world! 

Author: Dianne Duvall
Series: Immortal Guardians #11
Read: September 3rd, 2021
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Book, RR Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher:  Dianne Duvall
Published: July 27th 2021 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars