Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur
Dark Angels book One
I purchased this novel from Amazon for my Kindle :love:
They are skill she rarely uses, however, preferring to concentrate on the business she shares with her two best friends. But when her mother asks her to help the parents of a little girl locked in a coma, she reluctantly agrees. What she discovers scares the hell out of her. Because the little girl’s soul no longer resides in her body, and it wasn’t death and the reapers that took her.
Someone had ripped her 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 divided 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.
Erika’s Review
Grade: B+
What can I say about Keri Arthur? She’s been a favorite of mine for a long time. I enjoy her Riley Jenson Series, and I admired her as an author when she quit writing in Riley’s world. I like an Author who knows when it’s time to change avenues instead of milking the cash cow. At any rate, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this book, Darkness Unbound, being that it features Risa Jones. Who in the Riley Jenson series was all of maybe six years old. I’m happy to report that Risa grew up just fine, and Riley and the rest of the crew make guest appearances.
Before I embark on this review, let me assure you Riley fans of a few things: (Caution, spoilers ahead for the Riley Series, Skip this paragraph if you have not read them yet!!) So, Rhoan and Liander are still together, and it’s 20 years later or so. LOVE! Riley and Quinn, are– of course still together. Riley and Liander have 5 children. They all live and raise them together. Awesomeness! Riley no longer is a Guardian, but Rhoan is. Director Hunter is still around, as is Jack. So is Dia, Risa’s mother. OK, moving on now.
Risa Jones is a half-werewolf/half-Aedh. Her mother was a cloned Henski Were and her Father was a Full Priest of the Aedh. Risa has some cool skills. She can only shift into her misty Aedh form though. She has a few werewolf enhancements, but she cannot shift to wolf. She has the sex drive known in the Riley Series; from the moon heat, and also healing ability, hearing, and faster than average movement. She can walk in the grey fields, (though she doesn’t) and she can see the Reapers.
Darkness Unbound is a fast paced, well written novel that I am excited to see the direction Keri takes it. Though there is no clear “Love” interest, there are some steam worthy scenes. Lucian–an aedh, is her lover. Be warned, there is a threesome. So if that’s not your thing, you can skim over it.
Lucian was yummy 
Azriel is the Reaper attached to Risa, and is quite an interesting character. We aren’t privy to his motivations, or his emotions, so he is a tough nut to crack. I am interested to see how things transpire with Azriel. If they do at all, that is.
Risa lives with Tao and Iliana, her two best friends. Tao is a fellow werewolf with pyro abilities and Iliana is a witch. Tao and Risa are friends with Bennies when the need arises. Iliana is in a relationship that her parents don’t know about, because she loves women and is afraid of what her parents will say.
The plot revolves around an evil entity stealing souls. It was well done and I cried at the end.
I can’t wait to read the next one in the series, Darkness Rising, so I can see where Keri takes Risa.
Most of Keri Arthurs books feature casual sex. Be aware of that before embarking on your Riley or Risa journey. It was hard for me to accept at first, but I really enjoy the plots and Keri’s writing. Plus, eventually Riley settles down, I hope Risa will as well.
Rating:
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Mrs. Badass
I’m a book escapist. As a mom to four hellions, I mean–spirited little ones– reading is one of the only ways I can get away from the craziness that my husband and I created :P
I'm an Author! ER Pierce
Great review! Lucian is yummy, isn't he?! And Azriel plays a huge part in the next book. I haven't read the Riley series so I was a little confused by the fact that she was with Quinn but has Liander's children. I get it now, but it took a while. lol
My recent post Review: Drink Deep by Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires #5)
There are so many series that I want to read, and this sounds like a good one. Maybe I should start with the Riley series first?
My recent post Review: Pyxis: The Discovery
You don't have too, it's not necessary to understand the world or characters
Great review, Erika. Another book added to Mt. TBR (which is probably as high as Mt. Everest right now!)