Review: Darkness Falls - Keri Arthur

The bestselling Dark Angels series builds to a breathtaking conclusion as half-werewolf, half-aedh Risa Jones treads a knife's edge between the salvation of the human race and its total annihilation.

The search for the last key to the gates of hell has begun. Risa Jones is in more danger than ever - and one misstep could prove ruinous. It's only a matter of time before Madeleine Hunter, the dangerous head of the vampire council, begins her plan for complete domination. For Risa, that comes with an alarming ultimatum: hand over the last key to Hunter or, one by one, her loved ones will die. Now it's a race against time for Risa to save those she loves and to stop Hunter's apocalyptic plans to open the gates of hell . . .

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
Once again it's been time to say goodbye to a much loved series so I put off reading Darkness Falls for a while even though I was desperate to find out how everything was resolved. One of the things I really love about Keri Arthur is that she never drags her series out just because they're popular, in fact she often ends them before I'm really ready for it. She obviously has her stories planned well in advance and as much as I'm sad to say goodbye to this world, I would rather see things end on a high note than be dragged out forever like some series I won't mention. The Dark Angel series definitely went out with a bang and I have really loved every single book.

I'm not going to say much about what happens in this book but I will tell you that there is plenty of action and we get to see a lot of loose ends tied together. We discover what the future holds for Risa and Azriel, we get a glimpse at all our favourite characters from the previous Riley Jenson series, we finally see Madeleine Hunter make her move to take over the vampire council and we see Risa locate the final key. Once again Risa is working to a very tight schedule, she is doing her best to protect everyone she cares about but with so many enemies coming at her from all different directions it isn't going to be easy to fight them all.

Risa has really come into her own since the beginning of this series, she was already pretty powerful but she's learned a lot about her aedh side and picked up some interesting new abilities thanks to her bond with Azriel. She isn't perfect and she's made mistakes in the past by trusting the wrong people but she has the courage to stand up for herself and others and she always does what she thinks is right. I've loved the relationship between her and Azriel, it hasn't been easy for them but I've been rooting for a happy ending for them for a long time now. You're going to have to read the book for yourselves to see if they get one but I think you'll be happy with the overall outcome of the series.

I'm sad that it's over but I've enjoyed the journey and I'm already looking forward to rereading these books at some point in the future.

Source: Received from Piatkus in exchange for an honest review

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If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Darkness Splintered - Keri Arthur

Risa has angered several powerful people, and now she's feeling the pressure from all sides. In particular, she's come under the eagle-eyed scrutiny of the vampire council - some of whom consider her a monster who should be destroyed. But then they decide to offer her a secret, bloody bargain: to save her own life she must help them defeat Hunter, the lethal head of the council . . .

As the search for the keys to hell heats up, Risa realises that she has no choice. For the sake of the people she loves, she must find the keys - and get rid of Hunter - before the next gate is opened and brings the world closer to all hell breaking loose . . .

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
I have been a fan of this series since the beginning but it really does get better and better with every instalment. Risa has been on a very steep learning curve when it comes to her adeh abilities but she is still discovering more that she can do and I'm loving seeing her character blossom. I've also enjoyed every minute of her relationship with reaper Azriel, they have some issues to work through in this instalment but they come out the other side stronger than ever and I was so pleased to see them on in such a good place relationship wise.

Risa may be confident about her feelings for Azriel but the rest of her life is very much in flux. Her best friend Tao is still struggling to gain control of the fire elemental that he consumed to save Illiana's life and they're facing the very real risk of losing him forever. Both Risa and Illiana are also dealing with the after effects of Lucian's actions in the last book. As if that wasn't enough Risa is being hounded on all sides by people who want her to find the keys to hell for them, she has her father, the Raziq, a crazed dark sorceress and Madeline Hunter - the terrifying head of the vampire council - on her tail and they ALL want the keys for their own reasons. Risa is working hard to try and protect the keys but it isn't easy when she is up against so many opponents.

This story was quite a hard hitting one, not as dark as the last book but there are some very surprising occurrences. Madeline Hunter seems to have completely lost the plot, there has been no love lost between her and Risa since the beginning but it looks like things are reaching the point of no return and Risa may end up having to face off against this incredibly powerful enemy. I'm sad that Darkness Falls is the last book in the series because I'm going to miss this world and the characters when I finish it but at the same time I can't wait to see how things play out for Risa and her friends.

Source: Purchased

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If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Darkness Unmasked - Keri Arthur

Risa Jones, a half-aedh/half-werewolf, can speak to the souls of the dying and the dead, and see Reapers, the collectors of souls. She received a phone call from Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council, ordering her to investigate the death of Hunter's close friend and lover, Wolfgang Schmidt. His body has been discovered wrapped in a web-like substance and has been completely drained. As the body count continues to grow Risa must summon her gifts to find the dark spirit before it strikes again.

Meanwhile, as the search for the keys that keep the gate to Hell closed grows more intense, Risa begins to unravel mysteries that will have startling consequences for her.

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
I've been on a bit of a reading slump for the last couple of days so I decided to pull out the big guns and I knew Keri Arthur wouldn't fail me. I was right, this series just get better with every instalment and Darkness Unmasked was absolutely fantastic.

Risa has already been through so much but the pace just never lets up and this story sees her facing worse challenges than ever before. Hunter has set Risa the task of tracking down a murderer, one who leaves her victims little more than a dried up, empty husk that has been encased in a mysterious web. As if tracking down a murderer that seems to be part giant spider wasn't bad enough she is still trying to track down the remaining keys to hell and more than one enemy has a vested interest in her succeeding quickly. Risa is juggling a lot of balls all while trying to keep her friends safe and stop the gates to hell from being opened permanently but now more than ever she is at risk of losing everything.

I really don't want to say too much about the plot of Darkness Unmasked because I'd hate to give spoilers but oh wow Keri Arthur does not hold back in this story and she takes Risa to dark places I'd never have dreamed of even in my worst nightmares. An old enemy makes a reappearance and as despicable as his behaviour was in the past that was nothing compared to what he has up his sleeve this time around. I was shocked and horrified by what happens, not just to Risa but also to one of her closest friends, and I have no idea who that is going to effect things for the rest of the series.

It isn't all bad though and one of the things I've been loving for the last few books is the continued development of Risa's relationship with Azriel. It's been so great to see Azriel become more human in his reaction to things, I've been fascinated by his character from the beginning but I love him even more now we're starting to see his sense of humour and how much he obviously cares about Risa. Their relationship has never run smoothly and they still have more challenges to face but I have hope that they'll be able to work things out eventually.

Darkness Unmasked had me on the edge of my seat and it's left me desperate to know what happens next. I'm thankful that the entire series is already available and I'm sure I'll be devouring the remaining two books very soon. In fact, I'm planning on diving right into Darkness Splintered as soon as I finish writing this review!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Darkness Hunts - Keri Arthur

Risa Jones, half-aedh / half-werewolf can enter the realm between life and death. She can speak to the dying and the dead, and she can see the Reapers, collectors of souls. What she cannot yet see is the identity of a stranger murdering women and draining their blood. Now Risa must summon her gifts to find him, even if it means putting her own life in danger. But Risa needn't look far. The killer knows who she is.

Fascinated by Risa, he engages her in a sinister game: the chance to save the life of his next victim by deciphering his series of clues. In a race against time, she enlists the help of the Reaper, Azriel. But as an attraction between them grows, so does the fear that the stranger's motives are only part of a larger, more dangerous scheme - one that has lured Risa and Azriel into the dark.

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
I've become really hooked on this series over the last few weeks so it'll be no surprise if I tell you that I absolutely devoured Darkness Hunts. Poor Risa seems to go from one fight for her life straight into the next one without a moment to even breathe let alone sleep or eat. Now she has managed to capture the attention of a murderer, one who is attacking his victims on the astral plane, somewhere that even Azriel can't help her so this time she really is on her own.

I absolutely love seeing how far Risa has come in this series, she has gone from strength to strength and although she makes mistakes she always comes back fighting. I think one of the things I love most about her is that she isn't invulnerable, she has impressive abilities but she still gets injured and she feels the after effects of a battle just like anyone else would. I can't even tell you how much I've been enjoying the relationship development between her and Azriel. I've been crazy about his character since the very beginning and desperately want to see the two of them work things out but it isn't easy for them when they are both so different. There are obviously deep feelings there though and I have high hopes that they'll work things out.

Another thing I'm really enjoying is seeing her connection with her sword Amaya, I have a feeling that this is only going to grow stronger with time and it will probably be the thing that saves Risa in the long run. I'm also glad we finally have some kind of resolution to things with Lucian. I've had a bad feeling about his character from the beginning and some of his actions in this book are despicable. I have to say the one thing that stopped this from being a five star read was Risa's reaction when she finds out what Lucian has been up to. I expected her to be outraged by the things he did and she seemed to take them far to calmly and in her stride. I would have been much happier if she had given him a piece of her mind and kicked him into touch.

Like all of the previous books Darkness Hunts has plenty of action, Risa is dealing with the aftermath of her attack by her father's enemies and at the same time trying to juggle the wishes of the vampire council and the Directorate who both need her help, she is having to keep secrets from the people she loves in the hope of protecting them from a madman all while she struggles to deal with her feelings for Azriel and the way he keeps blowing hot and cold with her. I just can't wait to see what happens in Darkness Unmasked!

Source: Purchased

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Review: Darkness Devours - Keri Arthur

Half-werewolf, half-aedh Risa Jones can enter the realm between life and death, and she can see the Reapers who collect the souls of the dead. Now she is using her gifts - and the investigative know-how of a man who broke her heart - to find a cabal searching for the power to control time, reality and fate. And this is beside her work for the Vampire Council, half of whom want her dead.

But for now the Council needs her alive. Someone is killing blood-whore addicted vampires, and Risa must find the guilty party. If she succeeds, she may finally convince the council to lift the execution order on her life. But before she succeeds, she must first survive . . .

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
The Dark Angels series is just getting better and better with each instalment and I'm excited that the rest of the books are already available so I'm going to be able to devour them in quick succession. I'm a huge fan of Keri Arthur and she never disappoints so if you've not read these books (or any of her others!) then I'd definitely recommend them. You do need to read this series in order starting with Darkness Unbound though so if you're new to this series please don't carry on reading this review or you'll probably end up with spoilers!

Now that Risa has been coerced into working for Madeline Hunter and the rest of the Vampire Council she's in a very difficult position. She only made the deal for Hunter's help finding out who murdered her mother but since they're not offering her much in the way of assistance she is getting the raw end of things since they're constantly testing her. As much as she wants to tell Hunter where to go Risa knows that wouldn't be good for her health, as it is half of the Council want her dead and the only way to get them off her back is to solve the mystery of who is murdering blood-addicted vampires. Luckily she's got reaper Azriel on her side but even he can only do so much and she'll be lucky to survive the latest case.

I think the thing I love the most about this series is the characters, Risa's two very good friends Tao and Illiana have both proved time and time again that they would do anything for Risa and it's obvious how much they all care for each other. Risa doesn't want to get them involved but neither of them are going to walk away easily. My favourite character from the beginning (aside from Risa of course) is without a doubt Azriel, he has always stolen the show every time he steps onto the pages and that's no exception here. I am absolutely loving seeing his relationship with Risa grow, I have a feeling he's keeping more than a few secrets but I don't doubt for a second that he would do anything to protect her. I was actually pleased that we saw less of Lucien in this instalment, I've never particularly trusted his character and I'm convinced that he has his own agenda that doesn't necessarily include looking out for Risa's best interests. I'm hoping we'll find out one way or the other soon and that Risa will send him out of her life on a permanent basis!

We do get to meet an interesting character from Risa's past too, Jak is the werewolf who used her to write a story about her mother and broke her heart in the process so I was predisposed to hate him but he's actually incredibly charming. I'm glad that Risa doesn't trust him and isn't planning on letting him get too close again in the future but I did end up quite liking the banter between them and the way he constantly teases her. Jak isn't a great guy, he fully admits that the story is always the most important thing to him and that he'll do whatever it takes to get it, which definitely doesn't make him trustworthy but he's not a bad person for Risa to have in her corner the whole time their interests align. He has useful contacts and he's willing to help Risa as long as there is something in it for him in the long run.

I think Darkness Devours was probably the most action packed story in the series so far, Risa has a lot to deal with and there are plenty of obstacles in her way so be prepared for some new and interesting enemies to pop up. I love the way Keri Arthur is always expanding on her world building to add new creatures and legends because you really never can guess what she'll throw at you next. I can't wait to dive into Darkness Hunts to see what's next for Risa and crew.

Source: Purchased

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If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Darkness Rising - Keri Arthur

Risa will go to any lengths to avenge her mother's murder - even if it means making a pact with the most evil vampire she's ever met. Lethal and powerful, Madeline Hunter is leader of the vampire council and will put her resources behind finding the killer - for a price. The venerable vampire requires the assistance of Risa's psychic powers. Quid pro quo.

Someone - or something - is targeting the elders of the local council, cursing the immortal vampires to rapidly age, sink into madness and die. Risa must track down the vengeful being responsible. But Risa's father a rogue Aedh priest, also enlists her in a dangerous mission. And not even the great Madeline Hunter may be able to protect her from the shadowy forces that desire nothing less than Risa's destruction.

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
As a huge fan of the Riley Jenson series I was excited that Keri Arthur decided to continue writing about this world from Risa's point of view. For fans like me it is fantastic to get glimpses of some of our favourite original characters but at the same time I think the author has done a great job of getting us invested in the lives of Risa and her friends. After the utterly heartbreaking events at the end of Darkness Unbound I knew Risa was going to be in for a tough time of it in Darkness Rising and I wasn't wrong, everything is against her in this book and she's forced to make some very difficult decisions.

Risa is still grieving for her mother but more than anything she is determined to find out who was behind her murder so that she can make them pay. She is desperate for revenge and will do whatever it takes, even if that means working for Madeline Hunter, head of the vampire council, to achieve her goals. The last thing Risa really needs is to be caught in Madeline's spotlight and forced to investigate the deaths of some very old and powerful vampires but she doesn't have a choice if she wants access to information that only Madeline can provide. As if her two different investigations weren't enough to worry about her father, the Adeh who has been absent for her entire life, makes a sudden reappearance and he has an important task for her. Failure isn't an option unless Risa wants her friends to pay the price.

I'm really enjoying getting to know Risa, she isn't as strong as Riley was but she's still quite kickass in her own way and she definitely refuses to back down from a challenge. I love the supportive friendships she has with her room-mates Tao and Illiana and the way all three of them have each other's backs no matter what. I'm not a fan of the newly introduced character Lucien but I absolutely adore Azriel. We get to see a more human side to him in this instalment and I think he's really starting to care for Risa, I definitely want to see more of the two of them as the series continues because I'm loving the hints we're getting of the chemistry between them. I have a feeling if they ever give into that desire things are going to be explosive.

This series has a good amount of action making it real page turner that I didn't want to put down. I love the humour throughout the story too along with the camaraderie between Risa's group of allies. I have a feeling things are going to get even more complicated thanks to Madeline's interest in Risa, I wouldn't trust that woman as far as I could throw her and we've seen from her interactions with Riley that she always has an ulterior motive. I just hope Risa hasn't got herself in over her head and I guess I'll have to read Darkness Devours ASAP to find out.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Darkness Unbound - Keri Arthur

Born from a lab-enhanced clone mother and an Aedh father, Risa Jones can not only talk to the souls of the dying and the dead, but she can see reapers and walk the grey fields that divide this world from the next. They are skills she rarely uses, however. But when her mother asks her to help the parents of a little girl locked in a coma, she reluctantly agrees. What she discovers terrifies her: someone has ripped the girl’s soul from her flesh.

As it turns out, a creature consuming the souls of the innocent - and not so innocent - is the least of her problems. Because someone wants to rip open the gates that divide hell from earth, and Risa is a key component in their plans. And the only person standing between her and disaster is a reaper who isn't exactly on her side.

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Visit Keri Arthur's website for more information

Review:
Darkness Unbound is the first book in Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series. It is a spin off from the Riley Jenson series staring Dia's daughter Risa and does have cameo appearances from Riley and the rest of our favourite characters. I do think that it would be possible to read this new series separately but be aware that it will give you spoilers for how the Riley books ended if you decide to pick them up at a later date. I'm a massive fan of Keri Arthur's and would highly recommend both the Riley series and Darkness Unbound.

If you've read the Riley series then you'll remember Risa as a young child, Darkness Unbound begins her story about 25 years later. Risa is now 28 years old and runs a restaurant with her two best friends Ilianna and Tao. As a half-werewolf and half-Aedh she has some unusual abilities that have put her in the Directorate's radar, they want her to become a Guardian like her aunt Riley but so far she has refused. All she really wants is a quiet life, she may be able to see reapers and visit the grey lands (the spirit world) but she only does so reluctantly and usually when she feels compelled to help someone.

It did feel a bit strange at first to be reading about Risa as an adult but it didn't take me too long to get used to that. I loved getting a glimpse of how things have turned out for Riley, Quinn, Rhoan and Liander but I'm glad that they weren't the main focus of the story. I hope we see more of them as the series continues but I don't want them to overtake Risa. We are introduced to an interesting new cast of characters and I'm looking forward to getting to know them all better. Risa and her friends Ilianna (a mare who is also a powerful witch) and Tao (a werewolf with the ability to control fire) are a tight group and have each others backs. It's always nice to read about supportive friendships and this was no exception. Risa is a strong woman on her own but surrounded by her friends and family she can take on the world. In fact she will do anything to protect those she loves but I like the fact that she isn't too proud to ask for help when she needs it.

Risa's current love interest is another Aedh called Lucien, now he may be hot but I have to admit that I have my suspicions about him. There is nothing concrete but I just don't trust him and am concerned that he doesn't actually have Risa's best interests at heart. I'm much more interested in reaper Azriel - who can resist a half naked, sword wielding warrior? - and after watching the attraction between him and Risa I have high hopes for a future romance between them.

The plot is just as strong as any of Keri Arthur's other books although there is slightly more focus on introducing the new characters as this is the first of a new series. I'm fascinated with Risa's abilities and have a feeling we've only touched the surface of what she can do. I'm also very curious to find out more about her father and to see how Risa copes with the aftermath of a very shocking event at the end of the first book. This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Source: Received from Piatkus in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Moon Sworn - Keri Arthur

She ventures where no one else dares - into realms of peril and pleasure. But will this next journey be her last?

Shape-shifting werewolf and vampire Riley Jenson is through with death - causing it, solving it, surviving it. Her soul mate Kye Murphy is dead - and at Riley's own hands. Not even the seductive embrace of her vampire lover Quinn can fully ease her mind, for she has begun questioning everything that makes her Riley - including her job at the Directorate.

But then ritualistically slain bodies of ex-cons start turning up. Reluctantly, Riley takes the case, but something even worse is waiting in the wings. For a vicious enemy from her past is determined to strip Riley of everything that gives her life any meaning: her lover, her twin brother- and even her own identity. Can Riley survive this ultimate assault? All she knows is, she must fight one last time to find answers, before everything goes dark for ever . . .

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
It's always a bittersweet moment when you reach the final book in a series you love. There's that sense of sadness that the journey is over but if the author has done it well there is also gratitude that the series is ending on a high note rather than dragging on for too long and ruining things. I think Keri Arthur has ended the Riley Jenson series at just the right time, I'd much rather be left wanting more than be dreading yet another installment. Although this review won't contain spoilers for Moon Sworn please bear in mind that this is the ninth and final book in the series and I will be mentioning things that could spoil earlier books if you've not already read them. If you haven't started the Riley Jenson series yet then it is one I'd highly recommend.

Moon Sworn picks up not long after the ending of Bound to Shadows, Riley is just returning to work after the death of her soul mate. She may have hated Kye but she didn't want to be forced into killing him and her wolf side is devastated by his loss.  Luckily she has Quinn, Rhoan and Liander to help her pick up the pieces. Nothing is ever simple for Riley though and a blast from her past has an elaborate plan to destroy everything she loves. Riley will be forced to face her toughest challenge yet if she wants to be able to keep her family close.

The Riley that we say goodbye to at the end of the series is very different to the Riley we met in Full Moon Rising. She has gone through physical changes thanks to the drugs that were slipped into her system by Talon and she has grown stronger mentally thanks to her Guardian training. She has never been comfortable with what the Directorate want her to become though so although she will do what she has to to protect herself and those she loves she doesn't want to become a stone cold killing machine. I have to admire her for knowing her limits and sticking to them.

I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm just going to say that I loved Moon Sworn and think it was my favourite book in the series. I loved the way Keri Arthur has left things with Riley, Quinn, Rhoan and Liander and I couldn't have picked a better ending. This was a fabulous end to a great series and although I'm sad to have reached the end of the journey I'm excited to start the spin off Dark Angels series starring Risa which I believe will have occasional appearances from Riley and the gang.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Bound to Shadows - Keri Arthur

At a local vampire club, someone is beheading the clientele, and the peace the Guardians are meant to maintain is getting shaky. Human and vampire fatalities escalate and Riley Jenson - a rare hybrid of werewolf and vampire - finds herself struggling to make sense of the murders and, in particular, her main suspect: the club's owner Dante Starke and his powerful sexual aura.

And if things weren't bad enough, she's also torn between her love for Quinn and her connection with the unpredictable werewolf Kye - her soulmate. With the city on the verge of all-out war, Riley must not only capture the killer, but choose between the man she loves and the man she's destined to be with.

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
I'm a big fan of Keri Arthur and the Riley Jenson series and Bound to Shadows was probably one of my favourite books in the series so far. Although I'm looking forward to reading the next and final book Moon Sworn I'm actually quite sad that the series is coming to a close, I'll miss Riley and her gang when it's all over. This review won't have spoilers for Bound to Shadows but please be aware that this is book 8 in the series so it will include spoilers for previous books.

Since Riley discovered her wolf soul mate Kye her love life has become even more complicated than ever before. She is madly in love with vampire Quinn but her wolf side pines for Kye even though Riley can't stand him. So far she has been able to avoid spending much time with Kye but now he is back and seems determined to claim Riley whether she wants him to or not. The attraction between them is strong but it is more of a love to hate kind of thing than a genuine love match, Riley is terrified that it will cause problems between her and Quinn but she is powerless to avoid Kye - her wolf just won't let that happen. I've gone through periods of loving and loathing Quinn throughout the series but he has changed a lot over the later books and I really want him and Riley to get a happy ending. It's about time that poor Riley had some kind of luck with men, lets face it she has had some disastrous relationships in the past!

Bound to Shadows managed to surprise me several times, the plot was strong and I enjoyed the mystery of who was behind the deaths of the vampires. I enjoyed watching Riley try to deal with her attraction to Kye and still keep things on track with Quinn. Keri Arthur doesn't hold back and isn't afraid to take her characters to dark places. I actually shed tears while reading this one but I'm not going to tell you why, I'll just say I was gutted by something that happened towards the end of the book. I love reading about Riley's twin Rhoan and his partner Liander so it was good to see more of them both in this instalment, in fact they made a very important announcement and I can't wait to see the results of this in the next book. Bound to Shadows is a great read and I'd highly recommend this series if you haven't already discovered it.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Deadly Desire - Keri Arthur

A rare hybrid of werewolf and vampire, Guardian Riley Jenson, always seems to be facing danger. She's trying to catch a friend who's left a trail of female corpses behind in a bizarre ritual of evil, just as a series of brutal slayings also shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil - or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, Kye Murphy.

Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her lover Quinn and Kye's lupine charm, Riley knows she's courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. And when her hunt through the supernatural underworld brings her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread, things begin to get really deadly.

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Riley has never been particularly happy about her job as a Guardian but she is good at what she does and her skills come in very useful for The Directorate. When a string of teenage girls are found murdered Riley is soon put on the case to find out if there is any connection between them. Things get even more complicated when wealthy vampires start being picked off one by one but are the two cases linked? It is up to Riley to find out but with bounty hunter Kye getting in her way at every turn and the full moon bringing her wolf's emotions to the fore can Riley put aside her need for sex, remain faithful to Quinn and catch the killer?

I've been a fan of the Riley Jenson series from the start so was looking forward to reading Deadly Desire. Although this probably wasn't my favourite book in the series it was still a good read and has definitely set things up well for the last 2 books in the series. As I've come to expect from Keri Arthur there is plenty of action and Riley finds herself in the thick of things. We didn't see as much of some of the other main characters as I would have liked but it was nice to get an update on how things are going for Rhoan and Liander.

I was really pleased that Riley and Quinn seem to be finally getting their relationship back on track, I've had a bit of a love / hate thing going with Quinn throughout the series but I'm definitely in more of a love him phase at the moment. He is finally coming to accept Riley for who she is and has stopped trying to change her which was something that had really bugged me about him in the past. It wouldn't be Riley if everything was going smoothly though and Kye has definitely added a big complication. I'm not quite sure what to make of him yet as we still don't know too much about him but I'm very curious about his abilities and will be interested to see if he appears in the next book.

Overall Deadly Desires was a fun read and one I really enjoyed. If you're new to the series I would definitely recommend reading the books in order so you get the full benefit of Riley's background but if you're an urban fantasy fan then it's a series well worth checking out. Be warned that although this is urban fantasy the series does contain a lot of sex so if that is something you don't enjoy reading then this might not be the series for you.

Source: Library

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Review: The Darkest Kiss - Keri Arthur

Dark secrets. Dangerous seduction. It all begins with a kiss...

With a werewolf's uncanny instinct for danger - and vampire blood coursing through her veins - Riley Jenson is an officer for the Directorate of Other Races, an organisation created to police supernatural beings. Now she's hunting for a killer who is targeting the rich and the powerful of Melbourne's society...

But for Riley the case takes a chilling turn when a second killer - a crazed young vamp - starts leaving a trail of mutilated bodies of his own. Riley knows she's got the skill and cunning to catch two serial killers at once, until one of them strikes inside her own tight-knit clan - and a sexy beast of a vampire re-enters her life to aid the hunt. His name is Quinn. He's lived forever, shed blood and shared pleasure - and he's the only man over whom Riley has absolutely no control...

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Although this review won't contain spoilers for The Darkest Kiss as this is book 6 in the Riley Jenson series it will probably include spoilers for previous books. If you're new to the series or haven't read this far then I'd recommend checking out the reviews for book 1 Full Moon Rising. It is definitely an urban fantasy series that I'd recommend though.

This book picks up with Riley a couple of months after the ending of Embraced by Darkness and we find her still struggling to deal with a broken heart after her break up with Kellen. She is still working as a Guardian and when a politician is murdered she is called in to investigate. Soon she has a trail of bodies and realises she has a serial killer on her hands but before long it becomes clear that there is not just one killer on the loose. As if that wasn't enough to deal with Quinn is also back on the scene - can she capture the killers and protect her bruised heart at the same time?

This is a series I've enjoyed from the beginning but I have to say that I think it really is getting better with each new instalment. Riley has come a long way since Full Moon Rising and although I've always liked her I'm pleased to see the changes in her. She still has her snarky, kick ass attitude but whilst nursing her broken heart she has become less interested in casual sex and she seems to have grown up more. She will always enjoy flirting - and has more than a few men who are interested in that and more - but she wants to find a partner who she can actually care about. It was also nice to see more about the new abilities Riley has started to gain, although they didn't help her much in this book I'm curious to see what happens next.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the fact that Quinn would be making an appearance, I really liked him at first but then his attitude started to annoy me and I'd completely gone off him. However, I was really pleased to discover that he has also changed since the last time we saw him. With his attitude adjustment and Riley's new outlook I can actually see a future for them again and it was nice to be reminded of what attracted me to him in the first place. I'm now back to being interested in seeing how things play out with them over the rest of the series.

As I've come to expect from Keri Arthur the plot was well thought out and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I was on the edge of my seat at certain points mentally screaming "nooooooo please don't let this be happening" but I can't really say more about that without giving spoilers so you'll have to read the book to find out if I was happy at the end or not. If you're a fan of the series then I'm sure you'll enjoy this instalment. I'm looking forward to picking up Deadly Desire and finding out what happens next.

Source: Library

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Review: Embraced by Darkness - Keri Arthur

Just when Riley Jenson thought her life was getting back on track, fate throws another curve ball. The alpha of her estranged pack - and the man who tried to kill her by throwing her off a mountainside - demands her help to find his missing granddaughter.

Riley would love to refuse, but if she does, her mother dies. And if that isn't enough, something is tearing humans to shreds, and it's up to Riley as an agent for the Directorate of Other Races, to track down the killer before another soul is embraced by darkness...

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Riley is supposed to be on holiday to recover from events in the previous books but she never has been one to sit around doing nothing.  This time her holiday is spoiled when she is contacted by a member of her mother's pack - the pack that exiled her & Rhoan for being half breeds. Riley wants as little to do with them as they have had to do with her but now they need her help - one of their pack members has gone missing and they want Riley to find her. If Riley refuses then her mother will be killed - a threat she knows they will be happy to carry out.

I'm already a big fan of this series and Embraced by Darkness was a great instalment. We have seen Riley go through a lot in the year we've been following her but she has some difficult personal decisions to make this time regarding her relationship with Kellen. I started getting really bad feelings about Kellen near the beginning of the story but I'm not going to say if I was right or not - you'll have to read the book to find out. I just find it very hard to trust Riley's taste in men given her history!

I liked finding out more about Riley & Rhoan's upbringing and their relationship with members of their old pack. It would have been nice to have a chance to meet their mother though. I do love the strong bond between Riley & Rhoan though - they have always been close but as you learn more about their mother's pack it becomes clear that they've only really ever been able to rely on each other. It's good that they are still always there for each other.

I enjoyed the hunt scenes with the bad guys towards the end of the book and was really unsure how Riley would escape. There was a really interesting twist to the way Riley's powers are developing due to the experimental drug she was given at the start of the series, I'm very curious to see how this changes things for her in the future. I did find the bad guys abilities were a little unbelievable and didn't think we were given enough of an explanation for that. I was also a bit surprised at how easily they are defeated at the end considering how powerful they were.

This is a great series for fans of urban fantasy but I would definitely recommend starting with book 1 Full Moon Rising. Riley has developed quite a lot as a character throughout the series & I think you'd be missing out if you didn't read the books in order. I liked the fact that Riley's hormones played a smaller part in this story - I don't mind sex in a story but it can get a little repetitive when the main character is repeatedly having sex with many partners, especially when it is often with people she doesn't like & just as a part of her job. If you haven't started this series yet but are an urban fantasy fan then I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Source: Library

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Review: Dangerous Games - Keri Arthur

In Melbourne's urban underworld, there's a place for every fetish and fantasy. But for Riley Jenson, one such nightclub has become an obsession. Riley, a rare hybrid of werewolf and vampire and new agent for the Directorate of Other Races, hasn't come in pursuit of pleasure but of an unknown killer who's been using the club as his hunting ground.

Leave it to Riley to find the only ticket into the heavily guarded venue: Jin, a deliciously hot-bodied bartender who might just provide the key to unmasking a killer unlike any other in the Directorate's experience. Taunted by a former colleague gone rogue, Riley follows Jin into a realm of pleasure she could never have imagined but as danger and passion ignite, a shocking mystery begins to unravel - one where Riley herself becomes the ultimate object of desire...

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Riley and her brother Rhoan are investigating the murder of several women who have been killed in what appears to be a ritualistic manor. She may have fought against becoming a Guardian but now she has been forced into the role she is determined to do her job well. As their investigations lead them to a fetish club it is up to Riley to infiltrate the club and track down the murderer.

Dangerous Games is the fourth book in the Riley Jenson series and although this probably could be read first as the main background plot has started a new storyline I would recommend reading the series in order so you know the history of the characters. I'm really enjoying this series though & would recommend it to any urban fantasy fan. To give a slight warning though - Riley is a werewolf with a strong sexual appetite who has several regular partners and also uses sex in her role as a Guardian to gain information about her enemies. If that is going to be something that bothers you then I'd suggest skipping this series but I would definitely recommend trying Keri Arthur's Nikki & Michael series or Spook Squad series instead.

I really love Riley Jenson - she is one of my favourite urban fantasy characters - she knows what & who she is and makes no apologies for her werewolf nature. She didn't ask to become a Guardian and parts of the job do bother her but since she was forced into her role she is determined to make the best of it. Her character has been through a lot since the beginning of the series with betrayals from people she trusted and physical changes after she was given experimental drugs. I'm finding it really interesting seeing how her psychic abilities are changing and am curious to see what abilities she will gain next.

I loved Quinn in the first book but since then he has been really irritating me with his refusal to accept Riley the way she is.  He says he loves her but the way he is constantly trying to change her has been getting on my nerves for a while now.  I think they could be a good couple if only he'd learn to accept her but I'd got to the point where I felt enough was enough - I was very pleased to see Riley coming to the same conclusion in this instalment. For once she refused to listen to her hormones (that will always draw her to Quinn) and put her foot down. I think we'll probably see more of Quinn in the future but I hope he has a change of attitude in the meantime!

I would have liked to have seen a bit more of her other regular partner, alpha werewolf Kellen, in this instalment but I can understand why that wasn't possible with the storyline. The mystery surrounding the murders moves along at a good pace and kept me interested. I'd say this is probably one of my favourite books in the series so far and it's left me looking forward to reading book five Embraced by Darkness.

Source: Library

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Review: Tempting Evil - Keri Arthur

Half werewolf and half vampire Riley Jenson is now an agent with the DOR - the Directorate of Other Races. However, trusting her superiors and lovers barely more than she trusts her worst enemies, Riley plays by her own set of rules.

Her latest mission: to enter the heavily guarded pleasure palace of a criminal named Deshon Starr - a madman-scientist who's been messing around in the gene pool for decades. With two sexy men - a cool, seductive vampire and an irresistibly hot werewolf - vying for her attention, Riley must keep focused. Because saving the world from Deshon Starr will mean saving herself from the trap that's closing in around her...

Riley Jenson Guardian Series:
Full Moon Rising
Kissing Sin
Tempting Evil
Dangerous Games
Embraced by Darkness
The Darkest Kiss
Deadly Desire
Bound to Shadows
Moon Sworn

Dark Angel Series:
(This is a spin off from the Riley Jenson Guardian series)
Darkness Unbound
Darkness Rising
Darkness Devours
Darkness Hunts
Darkness Unmasked
Darkness Splintered
Darkness Falls

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
Riley has taken the final step and become a fully fledged Guardian for the Directorate of Other Races, she still isn't sure that it is for the best but she wants to be part of the team that takes down Deshon Starr. Her first mission isn't going to be easy - it is up to her to infiltrate Deshon's stronghold and try to discover where his secret labs are hidden so that the DOR can destroy them. While deep undercover she is going to have to be wary about who she trusts but she will also find friends in unlikely places. With Rhoan, Quinn and Kade also inside the compound she will have to be careful not to give away their identities or her own. Will they be discovered before they can find the location of the labs? Will they all make it out of there in one piece?

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series but I think Tempting Evil was probably my favourite book so far. I'll admit that this series isn't going to be to everyone's taste - Riley is a werewolf with a high sexual appetite and several regular partners but as a Guardian she uses sex as a tool to gain information from her enemies. This would be quite disturbing in real life but in the world Keri Arthur has created it is quite natural for the werewolves to give into instinct and their animal desires. As long as you're prepared to accept that I'd highly recommend the series for urban fantasy fans. The series has plenty of action, not just in the bedroom and I'm enjoying following Riley's story.

I was pleased to see Quinn start to redeem himself in this book, I absolutely loved him in Full Moon Rising but was really annoyed with his attitude in Kissing Sin. As much as he still has some making up to do in my eyes I'm feeling a bit more confident that he will manage it over the next few books. I had hoped to see more of the super hot alpha werewolf Kellen but I can understand why there wasn't much room for him in this storyline, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get to see a lot more of him in the series. I did enjoy getting to spend more time with Kade though - I'm still loving that horse shifter!

Overall I loved the pace of Tempting Evil, there was so much going on that I didn't want to put it down, I'm curious to find out more about Riley's growing psychic abilities and I'm looking forward to getting to know some of the newly introduced characters better. It won't be long before I'm getting stuck into the next book in the series Dangerous Games.

Source: Library

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