ARC Review: Darkness Hunts by Keri Arthur

Darkness Hunts

(Dark Angels #4)

by Keri Arthur

In the fourth book of the Dark Angels series, Arthur takes a slightly different approach to the storyline. Yes, the keys are needed to make everything right in the world. However, there is a more pressing matter that Risa and Azriel have to attend to. On the astral plane, there is a killer who likes to play games. He claims that it is his duty to rid the world of its evil, so one by one, he is killing off women. To make things even more drastic is the fact that this killer has no face. On the astral plane, his features don’t exist, which makes it even more difficult for Risa to pin him down. Also, he aims to make this a game by contacting Risa and giving her enough incentive to go searching for these victims until their time is up. In a way, Risa is a pawn in a deadly game of chess. But never count Risa out. She has her eyes set on winning.

In the process, Uncle Rhoan is there to guide her and Azriel is there to protect her. But even then, sometimes Risa is too late. More and more people are dying and she is always one step away from saving them. Jak and Lucian have a considerable amount of page time in this book. Risa explores her relationships with both of them and for one of them, the ties are completely severed because of one act that dissolved her trust in him. You need to read the book to find out who and why.

It seems that Risa has chosen one of the guys to be with. Azriel and Risa have had this chemistry from the very beginning so it’s really no spoiler when I say that they have decided that this thing between them in different than what they have with others. However, it’s not all flowery things and happy endings yet. Arthur explores their relationship, both the ups and downs, in a way that keeps readers riveted to the pages. She teases you and coaxes a few smiles because of the sweetness of some scenes, but then there is also heartbreak and sadness as well. Risa and Azriel are learning how to be together. When one person is a celestial being while the other is flesh and bone, having a “normal” relationship has a slightly different meaning to them. With the way Arthur ends this book, she gives those romantic readers some hope that there is a chance to see something good come out of this relationship. But, as is the case with all relationships, it’s about the journey of getting to that happily-ever-after that is part of the ride as well.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur

Darkness Devours

by Keri Arthur

(Dark Angels # 3)

Keri Arthur kicks things in high gear with the latest installment of the Dark Angels series! DARKNESS DEVOURS is smart, sexy and full throttle! Risa Jones is half-werewolf and half Aedh so she has a ton of skills and abilities in her repertoire. It makes her both lethal and cunning. Paired with her sword, Amaya and her own personal sword-weilding, half-naked sexy reaper, Risa’s also got the people to back her up when things get rough.

The vampire council requires her expertise and this time, Risa has her own possible execution lingering over her head. Added to that is the fact that there is someone killing off blood whore-addicted vampires. Risa pulls some strings and calls in her ex, Jak Talbott, a reporter to help her uncover truths better left buried. As Jak walks back into her life, Risa is once again reminded of her time with him. Pleasant memories are washed away when she remembers his betrayal. But despite the bitter taste in her mouth, Risa can’t deny that Jak still has that charm.

What I love about this series is that Risa has a bunch of men in her life but not one of them is perfect for her. Each of the guys – Jak, her ex, Lucian, her lover, and Azriel, her reaper are all involved in her life somehow but they are simply not compatible for her. Perhaps if they were all rolled into one person then she would have her perfect match, but Risa isn’t really lucky this time around. It keeps things interesting.

However, readers finally get what they’ve been hopelessly wishing for. Azriel is very much a part of this book and I absolutely loved each moment with him. I loved that he shows a little more amusement and humor. But of course, the fact that he reveals his feelings is the best part.

“Look at me.” 

This time, the demand in his voice was undeniably and I found my gaze rising almost against my will. My breath caught somewhere in my throat. 

Because there in the blue of his eyes was a desire so stark and raw it burned my very soul. 

“You cannot deny this, Risa,” he said softly. “You cannot deny us.” 

As usual, Keri Arthur does not hold back. Everything in this series is no-holds-barred – the action, the sex. It’s a series that shines against the plethora of Urban Fantasy series out there today and one that remains as my top favorites on my shelf. I can’t wait for DARKNESS HUNTS!

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Darkness Rising by Keri Arthur

 

 

Darkness Rising

(Dark Angels # 2)

by Keri Arthur

**REFERENCES TO DARKNESS UNBOUND, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE SERIES WILL BE PRESENT**

Keri Arthur continues Risa Jones’ journey as she tries to avenge her mother’s death. However, in the process, Rise gets tangled up in business with Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council. Her task is to find a killer. The victims are losing their immortal powers, causing them to age rapidly and grow mad. Tasked with finding out the reason why, Risa is put to the test to see if she can handle herself in the worst of times.

I recommend reading this series in order because there is not much summary from the first book of this series. If you don’t, you may miss some important backstory going into this book. Furthermore, the romantic subplot to this book carries on from the first book as well.

Speaking of romantic relations...or um, the lack of with a particular reaper, I was glad to read about Azriel again. As a spiritual being, he takes the form of a shirtless and totally ripped, dark-haired warrior with a wicked blade strapped to his back. Azriel is Risa’s reaper and sexy sidekick. He follows her around, whether she likes it or not and this time, Azriel shows more human emotions than the last book. Apparently, if he stays within a form long enough, he starts to gain human emotions. I CANNOT WAIT to read more about him. He’s just all kinds of awesome.

Tao and Illiana, Risa’s BFF also make regular appearances as does Stane. I love it when they are all kicking some ass together. They are just so badass.

What I also love about this series is the incorporation of various mythology. There’s some witchcraft, some bits of folklore and Arthur really makes it her own. I’ve never read anything like this series.

If the first book in the series got me pining for more, then this book has made it into a full blown addiction! I’m hooked!

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon