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Darkness Awakened (Order of the Blade) Kindle Edition

by Stephanie Rowe (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 6,445 ratings
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The Calydons are a race of ancient immortals cursed with a dark side. Each Calydon is destined to meet his soul mate, to be so drawn to her that he is unable to resist bonding with her through the rituals of his race...

...but their destiny is to destroy each other and all they care about the moment their bond is complete.

★★★★★ "What a mesmerizing story. Stephanie Rowe has caught me in her net of intrigue, love, myth, and warriors." ~Voracious Reader (Five-star Amazon Review)

Quinn Masters will stop at nothing to rescue his rogue teammate. To save his blood brother and ensure his brand of justice triumphs, Quinn will break every rule of his kind and partner with the sensuous, courageous woman destined to be his ultimate destruction.

Haunted by a brutal past, Illusionist Grace Matthews will risk everything to save her kidnapped sister, including putting her life in the sinfully capable hands of an immortal warrior whose ravaging kisses and intense passion propel her ruthlessly toward a fateful destiny she can't afford to believe in.

★★★★★ "This story was an amazing read and I hated having to put it down every day because it was all I could think about." ~Tracey R (Five-star Amazon Review)

★★★★★ "The plot she has weaved for this incredible story that just begun for me is outstanding, and I can't wait to continue this amazing adventure." ~AlabamaGirl (Five-star Amazon Review)

★★★★★ "I LOVED this book!!!! I think it was new and fresh and different and sexy." (Five-star Amazon Review)

★★★★★ "WOW, REALLY REALLY GOOD. MUST READ!! The blood bond that took place between Grace and Quinn was smoking hot!!!" ~Ginka (Five-star Amazon Review)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is the author of more than sixty novels. She is a RITA® Award Winner for Best Paranormal, as well as a five-time nominee. She is also a Vivian® Award nominee for Best Romantic Suspense Long, and a Golden Heart® Award winner and two-time nominee. Publishers Weekly has called her work "[a] genre-twister that will make readers...rabid for more."
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  1. Book 1 of 12
    Order of the Blade
  2. Print length
    406 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 12, 2013
  6. File size
    2608 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. You don’t walk away when someone you care about murders someone or snaps and goes on a killing rampage. You stand by them, because you know their soul isn’t black, and help them find their way back.
    Highlighted by 137 Kindle readers
  2. Mine to you. Yours to me. Bonded by blood, by spirit and by soul, we are one. No distance too far, no enemy too powerful, no sacrifice too great. I’ll always find you. I’ll always protect you. No matter what the cost. I am yours as you are mine.
    Highlighted by 134 Kindle readers
  3. “Laugh or cry, Quinn. Sometimes you just have to laugh because you’ll never stop crying if you start.”
    Highlighted by 108 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

"Rowe is a paranorm star!" ~J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestelling author

★★★★★ "Perfect combination of romance, action, suspense, mystery, and humor! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!" ~Britany (Five-star Amazon Review)

★★★★★ "This not normally my cup of tea but this book sure as heck is my shot of whiskey! Enjoy!" ~Krystal (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "It blew me away." ~Pknv (Five-star Amazon Review)

★★★★★ "Thank the powers that be this author is prolific." ~Toni G (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "I NEED more of these warriors!!!!!" ~CocoLoco4Books (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "I didn't want to stop reading it to make dinner or anything else." ~Hbeebti (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "This was so dreamy. Sigh." ~Ramblings of a Scattered Mind (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "Adventurous, romantic, HOT, steamy and full of the type of sex that us girls only dream about." ~Melindad (Five-star Goodreads Review)

★★★★★ "Oooh this was a yummy book." ~Helen A (Five-star Goodreads Review)

Why do readers love Stephanie's books?

★★★★★ "Without a doubt, Rowe is one of the most talented as well as versatile writers in romance fiction today." ~Judy L (Five-star Goodreads Review on A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart)

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe does it again. She has a true gift for bringing her characters to life and making you feel as though you're right there with them." ~Jenn (Five-star Goodreads Review on A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart)

★★★★★ "From the opening paragraph Stephanie has you in the palm of her hands..." ~bestbuddie (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

★★★★★ "Her characters come to life on the pages and make you hold your breath, laugh out loud and feel the intense fear and happiness they feel. Not only couldn't I put this down, I didn't want to!" ~Jen L. (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe infuses her characters with a passion that I have rarely seen matched in any romance novelist I have ever come across." ~ Five-star Amazon Review on Darkness Awakened

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe is a genius." ~Five-star Amazon Review on Forever in Darkness

★★★★★ "It's a gift to tell a story and convey emotion to the reader that really drives their reading experience. Rowe has that gift in spades." ~Kwolff (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

About the Author

Hailed by J.R. Ward as a "paranormal star," New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is the author of more than 50 novels. She is a RITA® Award Winner for Best Paranormal, as well as a five-time nominee. She is also a 2021 Vivian® Award nominee, and a Golden Heart® Award winner and two-time nominee. She has received coveted starred reviews from Booklist, and Publishers Weekly has called her work "[a] genre-twister that will make readers...rabid for more."


★★★★★ "Without a doubt, Rowe is one of the most talented as well as versatile writers in romance fiction today." ~Judy L (Five-star Goodreads Review on A Real Cowboy Always Trusts His Heart)

★★★★★ "From the opening paragraph Stephanie has you in the palm of her hands..." ~bestbuddie (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

★★★★★ "Her characters come to life on the pages and make you hold your breath, laugh out loud and feel the intense fear and happiness they feel. Not only couldn't I put this down, I didn't want to!" ~Jen L. (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe infuses her characters with a passion that I have rarely seen matched in any romance novelist I have ever come across." ~ Five-star Amazon Review on Darkness Awakened

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe is a very talented writer. Her books are so vivid they keep the imagination entertained." ~Natalie (Five-star Amazon Review on Darkness Seduced)

★★★★★ "Stephanie Rowe is a genius." ~Five-star Amazon Review on Forever in Darkness

★★★★★ "It's a gift to tell a story and convey emotion to the reader that really drives their reading experience. Rowe has that gift in spades." ~Kwolff (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007JE1B1C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Authenticity Playground, LLC (November 12, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 12, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2608 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 406 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 6,445 ratings

About the author

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Stephanie Rowe

Stephanie Rowe

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Rowe is a Vivian® Award nominee, and RITA® Award winner and five-time nominee. She is the author of more than sixty published novels, including books published by HarperCollins, Grand Central, Dorchester Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Harlequin. Stephanie writes hilarious cozy mysteries, plus paranormal romance, romantic suspense, contemporary western romance, small-town romance, and romantic comedy. She also has written several sweet teen romances. Publishers Weekly has also praised her work, calling her work "[a] genre-twister that will make readers...rabid for more." J.R. Ward claims "Rowe is a paranormal star!"

"What I love about Stephanie's writing is her ability to immerse you in her characters and their world. It is a connection that sticks with you long after the last page." ~Five-star Amazon Review on Burn

"From the opening paragraph Stephanie has you in the palm of her hands..." ~bestbuddie (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

"Her characters come to life on the pages and make you hold your breath, laugh out loud and feel the intense fear and happiness they feel. Not only couldn't I put this down, I didn't want to!" ~Jen L. (Five-star Amazon Review on Burn)

"Stephanie Rowe infuses her characters with a passion that I have rarely seen matched in any romance novelist I have ever come across." ~ Five-star Amazon Review on Darkness Awakened

"Stephanie Rowe is a very talented writer. Her books are so vivid they keep the imagination entertained." ~Natalie (Five-star Amazon Review on Darkness Seduced)

"Stephanie Rowe is a genius." ~Five-star Amazon Review on Forever in Darkness

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
6,445 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Danielle
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
Book Review
Darkness Awakened (The Order of the Blade)
by Stephanie Rowe

I have to admit the very first chapter of the book, I almost put it down and removed it from my tablet. There were way too many repetitive words in the book within the first few pages. I cannot stand that. However, I pushed through, and I am glad I did.

This book is about an elite group of men who are warriors. No, not the kind of warriors that women swoon over. Although, I suppose within the first hundred years of their existence they may. They of course have looks, but their destiny is that if they meet their one and only true love, their Sheva, then they will be destine to die or she will. The male will go rogue, becoming something kin to demon if they complete the bond. The bond isn't something they are able to stop or control. Needless to say, one meets his Sheva, and it is their journey through this book that makes it very interesting. Why and how he meets her is what drives the book.

The characters were very defined and well developed. There could have been differences in dialog to make the other characters stand out more, but it still worked.

The book allows for us to take a different twist on a warrior race. I enjoyed all the different things laid out within the book that tied in through out the book. I don't like giving examples because I believe it ruins it for other readers.

I was really pleased I finished this book. I truly didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. However, I try very hard to continue so I can give a true opinion. All in all, I found this to be well written, without errors, and an amazing beginning to a series. WELL DONE!
4 people found this helpful
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RVAbooklover
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid beginning
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013
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Darkness Awakened is the first novel in the Order of the Blade series. Quinn and Grace are on a collision course with fate, as Grace is Quinn's sheva, or soul mate. Doesn't that sound nice? Yeah, the problem is, Calydons (Quinn's race) are destined to go bat crap crazy when they complete the bonding ritual with their sheva, who then kills the Calydon. So for the last 5 centuries or so, Quinn's major mission in life has been the killing of said shevas, to preserve the warriors. In a completely hypocritical move, Quinn vows death and destruction to anyone who harms Grace.

One of Quinn's team mates turns on him, and he is desperate to find out what is going on. Grace's sister is missing, and is accused of causing the deaths of several Calydon warriors. Grace seeks out Quinn to help her find her sister, and they realize their missions are entwined.

There is a lot of necessary world building in the first half of the book, and it drags a bit at times. Once the stage is set, though, hold on because the ride gets very bumpy and frenetic. Very bad Calydons, one of the original Calydons escaping his 2000 year old prison, dead team mates who may or may not be gone forever...Lots of interesting stuff going on, but presented well, without giving this reader topic whiplash.

What worked for me - Quinn - Oh, I loved Quinn. So stoic, so alone for so long, with only his "brothers" for company. Going through his long life killing former friends who have the misfortune to meet their sheva, and/or the shevas. Grace was like his miracle, and I felt his longing for her so keenly. There is a point where he kind of loses his composure, and lets Grace comfort him. Oh, it brought tears to my eyes.

Grace - Grace is a badass. Not because she has mad skills, or is fearless. Far from it. She is often afraid, but she does what she has to, anyway. She is determined to find her sister. Grace also does not want to be marked for death as Quinn's sheva. Both Grace and Quinn try to fight the bonds, but fate has a way of stepping in to achieve its goals.

The Order - Quinn's team mates. Can't wait to hear their stories.

What didn't work so well - Continuity. First, we hear Quinn doesn't believe the sheva bond really causes the Calydons to go rogue.He thinks the warriors should be given a chance to come back from their rogue like state. Then we hear from one of the Order members that Quinn has killed more shevas than anyone else. Maybe he was acting on orders, I don't know, but it was a little jarring.

I have read 2 other Stephanie Rowe series, so I jumped on this when I saw it as a Kindle Freebie. While the Order is not as laugh out loud funny as the Immortally Sexy series, there were some comedic relief scenes here and there. All in all, the writing is solid, the story is very fast paced and all of the various plot lines are handled well. I will be reading the rest of the series.

Bottom line - Time well spent.
One person found this helpful
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Cindy O
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this new world Stephanie created.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2012
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Stephanie Rowe has created a wonderful new series. Two thousand years ago Ezekiel and his twin brother Caleb lived with an abusive father. The King of the land was no better killing men and women just for the fun of it. Ezekiel fell in love with a girl who the King kidnapped. When Ezekiel couldn't get to her at the King's castle it sent him over the edge. Ezekiel knew of a stream that would create mythical warriors. Ezekiel and Caleb drank from the steam and then went and defeated the King. But Evangeline died in Ezekiel arms. This caused Ezekiel to go mad and kill everyone in the kingdom including women and children. From this Ezekiel created a band of warriors called The Order that was to rid the world of evil. But Ezekiel in his madness became paranoid- began seeing evil in everything. Caleb decided his brother needed to be stopped and set out with his wife who he hoped would keep him from going rogue and 20 men to drink from the stream to create an army to defeat Ezekiel. Caleb and his army did defeat Ezekiel but at the expense of Caleb's wife. Caleb managed to imprison Ezekiel in a magical prison but he went crazy over the loss of his wife and his men had to kill him. Thus the legacy was born. The Calydon warriors' purpose was the keep the world safe from evil and when needed to kill a Calydon warrior and/or his sheva (mate) when the Calydon warrior went rogue/mad after finding her.

Dante has been the leader of the Order for 700 years but with his death Quinn Masters is next in line. After a disastrous mission that left all of his young Calydon warriors in training dead and it looking like his best friend Elijah did it, Quinn knows he must figure out what is going on. After waking up from almost dying he heads to his cabin where Grace Matthews is waiting and he knows right away she is his sheva.

Grace Matthews is an illusionist. One who can call upon images to make those around her believe what she is projecting. Her sister is also one and has been kidnapped and Grace has come to Quinn for his help in finding her.

They both realize there is a connection between them but Grace refuses to believe that love can make a person go mad to a point of no return. All she wants is to get her sister back.

As the story progresses we find out how and why Dante and Elijah died and that the walls that are keeping Ezekiel in are crumbling and he seems to be controlling people on the outside. One of the men he is controlling is the one that took Grace's sister Ana. They also come across Dante's son Drew who they know they need to protect at all cost.

This was a great start to a new series. I am already all wrapped up in this world and can't wait until Gideon and Lily's story which is next. I am hoping that Ana's story is the 3rd book.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Fiona McLachlan
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!!!
Reviewed in Australia on March 12, 2017
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What a great start. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Couldn't put it down. Kept my interest from beginning to end.
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Moose Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
I only recently discovered Stephanie Rowe's books, and I have to admit that I'm hooked. Despite Paranormal Romance being my favourite genre, I actually discovered her cowboy books first, so I was pretty happy to discover that she writes Paranormal too.

I loved this book. It was well-written and a decent length - long enough to get lost in it for a while. I was a little confused at first by what Calydons were, but I picked it up fairly quickly. I absolutely adored Quinn and I appreciated that Grace had a backbone. I loved the whole "totally doomed" thing they had going on and it kept me interested, waiting to see what would happen. Nothing beats a big, tough alpha male going all gooey for his mate.

Although, the book was steamy, there was plenty of plot too. Overall, a highly entertaining story. I note that there were quite a few of these books, so they should keep me amused for a while. I've already bought book 2 and I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work. Stephanie Rowe has a new fan.
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Sue
4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised
Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2018
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I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent story development. Well set up for future novels in the series. There was a lot of repetition, especially with respect to the conversations between Grace and Quinn. I found myself skipping over these sections as I got further into the book. I look forward to reading more in this series, and I hope the author refines her writing style.
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Narayana
4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of angst and more angst...
Reviewed in Australia on March 12, 2020
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Way too much angst!... book got much better towards the end.
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Nicole Lafreniere
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on May 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the style of writing, great story, keeps you on your toes, will look for next one in series. Curious to know more about the love,and adventures of the members of the Order,of Quinn and Grace, of Ana and the down low of Lily and so many more. Thank you for such great book
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