Shadow Rising

Dark Dynasties #3

by Kendra Leigh Castle

Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions...

As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend, Sammael, vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.

A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, what begins as an alliance of necessity soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally...or tear them—and everything they care about—apart.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

322 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 31, 2012

About the author

Kendra Leigh Castle is the author of numerous paranormal romances, including the MacInnes Werewolves trilogy, the RITA award-nominated Renegade Angel, the Dark Dynasties series, and the Hearts of the Fallen series. 2014 will see the release of her first contemporary romance, For the Longest Time, which will be the first in her Harvest Cove series. Kendra lives in Maryland with her husband, children, two Newfs, and one obnoxious cat.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted at Demon Lover's Books & More


I knew I liked Damien from his first scene in Dark Awakening. He’s broody and sexy and may not seem to have much of a conscience, but he surprises even himself.

Damien is a Shade-an assassin, thief, jack of all trades-so long as those trades come with a paycheck. One thing that I thought made so much sense to me is that Damien was the youngest son of a titled nobleman-so he was a rake of the highest order. Dressed well, played hard, disappointed the family…

This has sort of scarred him, although he’d never admit it. But you can see it in how he interacts with everyone around him. His insouciant grin, his air of immortal ennui, devil-may-care attitude, Those are Damien just protecting whatever is left of his heart.

Enter Ariane. She is one of the Grigori caste of vampire. No one knows much about her kind, since they keep to themselves. The Grigori consider themselves “Watchers” so they very rarely interact. Ariane has left her isolated desert oasis home against her people’s orders to stay put, because her best friend, her only friend, Sammael has gone missing. She has no idea how naïve her people have purposely kept her, and how little she really knows.

Ariane’s whole purpose is to find her friend Sam. Damien has been hired by the Grigori to find Sammael and to turn in a renegade Grigori female if he sees her (Ariane). When he sees her, turning her in is the furthest thing from his mind. In fact they team up to help each other, which goes against all the rules of the House of Shadows. The two of them initially are trying to find Sam, but the more they discover, the deeper his disappearance goes.

I really want to tell more, but I’ll have to stop myself. I’ll keep this one short and sweet: Shadow Rising, the third book in the Dark Dynasties series, is a great book with a new take on vampires. With emotions ranging from dark and intense, to sweetly satisfying, this book delivers.

***Thank you to both the author and netgalley.com for the ARC

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Read my alternate review at Fresh Fiction




****


Puurrrrr.

Who would have thought that I’d love cat shifters as much as I do now?

As the third book in the series, SHADOW RISING returns to the wonderfully detailed and complicated world that Kendra Leigh Castle has created. I have to say that I adore this world. Castle does such a great job of distinguishing the different groups so well that you don’t ever feel lost. As I was reading this book, many readers asked me if they could read this as a standalone. I will say that you technically can, but I feel like the entire series really compliments and enhances each subsequent story, so it’s probably best to start with the first book, DARK AWAKENING.

Now back to this book. Immediately I fell in love with Castle’s writing all over again. She just writes so smoothly and well that I don’t even feel like I’m reading. She gets into her character’s minds so well that I feel like I know them. I know, that sounds totally creepy, but they are just so vivid to me.

I loved Ariane’s strength and determination throughout this entire book. She just exudes this quiet strength that I couldn’t help but notice and admire. Even when Damien pushed her away, she was persistent and intelligent about it all. I kind of wish Ariane was my friend. How cool would that be?

Then there is the reason I read this book in the first place. *happy sigh* Oh, Damien! You stole my heart!

There is just something so compelling about Damien Tremaine. I loved how grouchy and well, let’s be honest... He was a jerk a lot of the time. But even though he may have said or done some mean things, Castle does a great job of showcasing Damien’s regret and thoughts after that you don’t actually take what he does or says at face value.

Damien is a shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows and he is damn good at what he does. When Ariane crosses his path, he sees her as a nuisance because she alone stands in his way. So even as he tries to get rid of her and persuade her to give up her quest for Sammael, he notices her beauty and her kindness and her big heart.

Damien kind of reminds me of Nic from ON THE PROWL by Christine Warren. Both authors did a great job of making their shifters hardasses, but still sexy. That’s a tough thing to accomplish because it could go wrong so easily.

I thought Castle did a fantastic job of straddling the line and keeping Damien a bit of a jerk, but still have some redeeming qualities about him. Ariane really stood her ground against him and that’s just another reason why I ended up loving her as much as I did.

I’m falling more and more in love with this series. I can’t wait to see what IMMORTAL CRAVING has in store for us!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous world building, characters and storyline mixed with raw sexuality and heat to make your toes curl.

"Mmm, I love the way you smell" Damien murmured, his breath tickling her ear in the most delicious way. When the purr began to vibrate through him, Arianne's knees went liquid. Only Damien's hands, his fingers twined with hers as they held her captive against the wall, seemed capable of holding her up.

He drew back, brushing his nose against hers. "Now let's see how you taste," he breathed.

It's a winner!

[Kristin Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Dynasties series rating: N/A (haven't read them all)

How are the sex scenes?

Sweet, short and hot. Read last paragraph in review.

How are the story lines?

Great. There are so many characters doing so many things, but everyone is trying to reach the same end goal - either for good or for evil.

Would you read it again?

Yes. I'd like to read the series.

Review

"Shadow Rising" by Kendra Leigh Castle is a modern-day fantasy romance novel and is the third book in the Dark Dynasties series. It can be – and in my case, was - read as a stand-alone novel.

An ancient Grigori vampire has gone missing and Damien has been hired to find him…and is asked to report the now rogue Ariane should he see her. Physically drawn to Ariane, Damien struggles between avoiding her and seducing her, but never reporting her. Ariane is searching for the missing Grigori, her only friend these past 900 years, and will not stop until he’s found. Once a Grigori leaves without permission the punishment is death. Ariane will not go back, Damien will not hinder her quest and she puts his neck at the end of her battle sword to prove it.

I'm a reviewer for Beverley Kendall's The Season for Romance website! Read the full review here.



Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC received from The Season.

Published by Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing

[Carmel (Rabid Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

At first glance, this series looks like every other vamp Paranormal Romance out there. Admittedly, it does follow the standard format of boy meets girl, falls in love and changes his evil ways. However, Kendra Leigh Castle's inclusion of vampire dynasties makes all the difference and helps these books to stand out from the crowd. Most angel stories rub me the wrong way, they're either too preachy or the lore is just so muddled that I have trouble digesting it. In these novels the author keeps things simple, packs in plenty of action and tells a satisfying love story. Each installment in this series keeps getting better and better, and Shadow Rising is the best so far.

Kendra's vamps are divided up by dynasties and each have their own unique histories and abilities. Every book revolves around a specific clan of undead and in this case it's the Grigori. I was a little hesitant at first; I mean who wouldn't be with angel vamps and all? Considering they are the epitome of evil in a celestial packaging. Ok, my curiosity was peeked; then Castle proceeded to work her writing magic and I was hooked. Not only did I love her winged vampires but we also learn more about Cait Sith's and House of Shadow. The Dark Dynasties universe is vast, engrossing and original; one of the best in this genre.

I genuinely enjoyed both of the main characters in Shadow Rising but for different reasons. Ariane has led a very sheltered life and has been kept in the dark about pretty much everything, including her own kind. I marveled at the courage it took for her to not only abandon everything that she's ever known for her only friend but to do it while knowing that she would probably pay for it with either her life or banishment. She's no weakling mind you and has several memorable and entertaining moments. I particularly enjoyed when she wields her humongous sword for the first time. Jaws drop. Damien on the other hand is the complete opposite. He doesn't care about anything or anyone and is an all around sketchy person with questionable morals. Despite being a shade he's also a Cait Sith with some interesting cat-like traits. Namely, he purrs during sex! Yes, you read that correctly. Ariane is the definition of goodness while as Damien is the personification of wicked. Sparks fly when these two clash, that is until they sleep together... then it's a whole different ball game! Funny how fantastic sex changes everything.

Everything about this book flowed perfectly; the pacing is dead-on, the dialogue is giggle worthy and the plot is exciting. There's not a single thing that I didn't like about this story. The only reason why I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 is because, well, it's hard for a Paranormal Romance to really wow me. There's just so many of them out there. Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favourite genres but it's rare for one to leave me in awe.

Shadow Rising is one of the better Paranormal Romance books out there. Kendra Leigh Castle's writing is exquisite and her vamps are beyond memorable. Each Dark Dynasties novel is able to stand on its own but with this caliber of story telling why wouldn't you want to read them all?

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damien is an agent of the House of Shadows, an organization that deals with assassinations, robberies, spying and everything nefarious that the grand Vampire dynasties want handled but refuse to do themselves. He's charming and handsome but also lethal, emotionless and very good at what he does. When the Grigori leader comes to ask the Shadows to find a man from their council who has disappeared mysteriously along with a female Grigori who's deserted in her effort to find him, Damien is assigned the task.

As the book begins, Ariane, a Grigori and a good friend of Sam's (the missing vampire) decides to take matters into her own hands and escape the Grigori compound to search for him. For Ariane, this is the first time that she's ever left the desert where the Grigori live isolated from other races and the experience is heady. She finds a whole new world outside the desert where people actually live, have friendships, make relationships and enjoy life in a away the Grigori -also called the Watchers- refuse to do. Soon she'll run into Damien as they're after the same thing and though their first couple of meetings don't go too well (she even tries to kill him once), in the end they decide to forge a partnership and search for Sam together.

The beginning of the book was light and even humorous at times, but it gets darker the longer you read, as the importance of Sam's deflection is slowly revealed. Ariane's and Damien's relationship progresses gradually from attraction to respect and later affection while trust is late to come, something that's normal with their characters as portrayed. Ariane is a strong heroine who knows herself, her powers and weaknesses, and is able to view Damien's character -and what that means for them- without rose-tinted glasses or stupid expectations. She's also quick and brave enough to do what she feels she has to, when the time comes, instead of sitting around mopping for her knight to come around. At the same time, she's also compassionate and patient and willing to accept Damien's limitations and see the good in him, even when he doesn't.

Damien too was a great hero: we know that one of his tasks is to give Ariane back to the Grigori, and I liked the fact that he never considered it after the first five minutes of getting to know her. His change from bad, careless boy to a man who's decided to grow up and claim what's his, took time but it was quite realistic and never made him seem like he had a heart & mind transplant, as some romance heroes are prone to. He remains still sceptic of his own worth, but that doesn't stop him from loving Ariane or accepting her love and not discarding it since 'he's not good enough'. He knows he loves her and since she loves him back, he'll do anything to keep her. At last, a hero with brains and no needless whining!

What I also loved in this book was the plot underneath, the mystery surrounding Sam's disappearance, the dynamics between the different Vampire races, the struggles for power and the way all this blended together and made me turn page after page in order to find out what happens next. Though this is the third book in the series, I never had trouble understanding the world Castle has built or felt confused about names and places; it can definitely be read as a stand alone, yet I'm now more than eager to go out and buy the first two books and find out if they're as good as this one!

ARC provided by NetGalley

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found on my blog.



What we have here, my fellow readers, is a book you should run to buy. Now. Don't delay.

I was warned that reading book 3 of this series wasn't a good idea without having read the first two. Of course, when I requested this galley, I wasn't even aware that this was the third in a series.

In the end, it didn't matter one bit. Shadow Rising (aptly named) primarily tells the story of one naughty, disillusioned, cynical cat shifter and one sheltered, beautiful vampire.

And what a story it is. Thankfully, the author provides a list of the dynasties in the beginning, explaining what each does and what its purpose is, which helped tremendously in understanding the world in which this book takes place.

There's very little world-building, as one would expect in a third book of a series, so the focus remains with the actual romance between our H/h. Boy, can Kendra Leigh Castle weave a fascinating tale. I was enthralled from the first chapter and could barely force myself to put this book down.

The characterizations were excellent. Damien Tremaine, our hero, is a shifter of the House of Shadows who can turn into a sleek, black cat at will. He's also a paid assassin, investigator and trouble maker, cynical, jaded and long resigned to a loveless life. There's some back story there from his human life that I would have liked to see more explored, but even without it, he's a handsome, rakish and quite hot male protagonist. He'll have you purring in no time. Even though he's a bit of a jerk, most of the time, saying and doing things he doesn't really mean because he has walled himself off for so long that he doesn't know how to let anyone in.

Ariane, of the Grigori vampire dynasty, has been sheltered since she was turned, trained to fight, but never given an opportunity to show her skills outside of the Grigori compound. She's been belittled and mocked for her human traits of having emotions, something that the Grigori frown upon. After her mentor disappears, she is passed over for an assignment (again), which prompts her to leave, determined to try to make it on her own. She's persistent and intelligent, fights when she has to, and shows Damien that she's no shrinking violet/damsel in distress.

When Damien and Ariane meet, it's because of an assignment he is working on to bring back Sammael, her mentor. She is also searching for him, and she convinces Damien to join forces. They are like night and day, but opposites attract, and neither of them can fight the attraction for long. As Damien reluctantly grows to appreciate Ariane's fighting spirit, they are thrown headfirst into a situation that might tear them apart.

I appreciated Ms. Castle's ability to weave a fine plot, not focusing solely on the romance, but also including suspense, intrigue and a few plot twists I didn't see coming. She made these characters come alive in a way that feels as if you live inside their minds, or as if you're a fly on the wall, watching with bated breath to see what happens next as they work their way into your heart.

The love story was exquisitely woven into the plot, and neither Damien nor Ariane fell instantly in love. The author allowed them to get acquainted, from Damien seeing her a nuisance and road block to him learning to appreciate her determination and persistence; she let them slowly build their interest and desire, and gave Ariane a lot of backbone and strength that ultimately helped Damien see with his heart what his eyes refused to acknowledge.

The UST was relatively minor, but the love scenes were well done (if a bit on the explicit side) and fit into the overall plot. And when they finally bond during the consummation of their mutual attraction - oh my! It suddenly got mighty hot.

Crisp yet detailed writing and a riveting plotline with fascinating main characters and an excellent supporting cast kept me engaged throughout, so much so that putting this book down was a chore. I cannot wait to read the other two books, and this series is going on my watch list for the next installments.

I received a free ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. A review was not promised in return.

[Jen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra Leigh Castle delivers yet again with her latest installment in the Dark Dynasties series. I love her heroes and their struggle for self-worth. I love her tortured Cait-Sith race, reviled for centuries and now finally coming into their own. I love the world building, the romance... the sex. Yes, I know I'm gushing, but I did not want to put this book down.

Damien is a Cait Sith, but also a Shade... an assassin for the House of Shadows. His latest mission is to find Sammael, a member of the mysterious Gregori race, who has gone missing. It's an exciting job, because no one knows much about the Gregori and because there is also a missing female that her people want back as well.

Ariane is an outcast among the Gregori. The ancient, winged vampires consider themselves watchers. They study others in the world and they don't interfere. They shun emotion and Ariane has never been able to truly clamp her feelings down. When her only friend, Sammael, goes missing, she ignores the rules and rushes out on her own to find him and bring him home.

It's only a matter of time before Ariane and Damien cross paths in their search. Though they each reject the idea at first, they eventually realize that it's in both of their best interests to work together. And of course, that provides the opportunity for the attraction between them to grow.

Damien is a hard man. Like many Cait-Sith, he considers himself the low-blood he's been branded by others. He's never known comfort or love. He has only found happiness in money and the thrill of the hunt. But he is taken by Ariane's innocence, her honesty, and her inner strength. She doesn't play games and it makes her easy to root for. It was so satisfying to watch him succumb to her goodness and acceptance of who and what he is. The romance is really quite sweet and the sex is very good too.

As much as the romance was a hit for me, I found I enjoyed the story as well. It was cool seeing the Gregori mysteries unfold and learning how it all fits in the broader picture of the series. Each one of the vampire houses is interesting and unique. Castle has created such a rich canvas with her supernatural world and continues to build on it with each book.

This is book three in the Dark Dynasties series, and while we get references to events and characters from other books, I think this would still work as a standalone. The story is loaded with great secondary characters who are practically screaming to get a book of their own one day. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating: A-

*ARC provided by author for review

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars rounded up to 4 stars

Ariane is one of the Grigoris, the most mysterious clan of vampire most known as The Watchers. Her whole existence as a Grigori has been isolated, away in the desert. Ariane longs to live, to experience the life outside the Grigori compound. When her best friend, Sammael, is missing, Ariane defies order and leave to find him. Cath Saith Damien Tremaine is part of the Shade, an extraordinary thief and hired assassin. He has been contracted a job to find Sammael as well. Forced to combine resources and work together with Ariane, after she saves his life, the two discover that there is something more sinister behind Sammael's disappearance ...

------------------------------

On one hand, I like Ariane. She's so innocently refreshing without being a weakling. She is the first Grigori introduced in this series, and it's a joy to find where Grigori really comes from (they are descendant of fallen angels!) as well as their power (they can fly!). Her stark contrast with Damien (who lives his life in the shadow) is what makes the relationship interesting to read.

However, when it comes to Damien, this is where I have issues. Oh, don't get me wrong, reading how Damien falls for Ariane is a delight. But at the same time, Damien is reduced here into a brooding hero that seems incompetent when it comes to finish his job.

I like Damien so much in book #1 and #2 because he was a menace, trying to kill either the heroine or the hero, which of course made me drawn to him because he was the bad boy. But here, everything that defines Damien as top assassin is trampled by his constant inner emo-musing about Ariane. I don't like that *pout*. I want to see him kick ass and does what he does best -- killing others.

In fact, the whole action part in this book is disappointing. Anything involving some kind of fighting, especially towards the climax, is weak. Ms. Castle is great in the romance part but not so much in the action part in this book.

I still like the world building and the myth around the vampire, as well as the explanation about the clans. The ending (This bad-ass demon named Chaos, who used to be one of the angels/Grigoris is set loose) makes way for a promising plot for the next book.

So the actual rating on this is 3.8 stars, but I round this up to 4 stars. Of course, with self-note about the disappointing action ...

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ariane has lived her entire long existence in a brilliant cage and she's finally willing to break free. The majority of the Grigori look at her as an outcast and in a lot of ways she is. She wasn't ever as emotionless or heartless in the ways her tribe can be and the fact that she cares for others and had a kind soul means she will never truly be one of them. The one other person whom she could call friend has gone missing and while she seeks to escape the compound and live her life the way she wanted to, her main focus is finding her friend and protecting him from those who seek to do the both of them harm.

Damien has lived a life of abandon without responsibility for anyone's feelings and its always served him well. He enjoys his carefree and careless life as a thief and a killer and, never really being a people person, he more than anything enjoys putting people on edge- so that he is always the one in control. But control is something he's severely lacking when it comes to the beautiful and otherworldly Grigori female who is so completely lost in his world. Try as he might to put her at arm’s length, somehow she always finds herself too close for his liking. He's not the type to feel anything for anyone but contempt bit this particular female is making it harder to harder to be the cold-hearted bastard he's been.

With the rise of an ancient enemy that threatened not only Ariane but the fate of the entire vampire race, Damian must come.to terms with just how much she has come to mean to him and that he will do everything to keep her alive.

So, this was definitely a home run for me. From start to finish I can't say that I wasn't 100% invested in the story, in the characters and in this entire world of tribal vampires. It was do easy to read and become swept away. Damian was a loveable asshole and he knew exactly how to press people's buttons. He was genuinely shocked when his tactics failed to pushed Ariane away and I enjoyed him even more when he began to care for her in the ways he knew how. She in term was a fantastic character. So strong, deadly in battle but so innocent. What a home run!

[Kelly at · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quickie:
Loved!!! Damien "MEOW"

Full review:
Damien, is just a pain in the ass, smart mouth, totally hot bounty hunter. But really Damien uses all the smart mouth and sarcasm as a way to keep people from getting close to him, and it has worked for a very long time. But like all good things it has to come to an end. When Damien gets his next assignment to track down a missing Grigori the last thing he expected to find was one very hot, very stubborn, defiant female Grigori, that will test every wall Damien has ever put up.

Ariane has lived a very sheltered life, but she is done with that now. Ariane is determined to go out on her own to find her missing friend Sammael. Ariane is not prepared for the outside world, but she loves it and know now she can never go back to her sheltered life. The one thing that Ariane was never prepared for is the very sexy cat-shifter that just walked into her life.

Damien & Ariane are like magnets. At times they are pulled too close together you have to pry them apart and other times they repel each other. It was great fun to read about these two and watch them grow together. It is always fun when a big tough man falls so hard that he doesn’t even know it. Damien may be a total and complete jerk at times, but he is sweet and dream too.

This was a great book. This was also my first Kendra Leigh Castle book and I really enjoyed the world that Kendra created. While I think that you can read this book as a stand alone I think it would be best to start at the beginning with Dark Awakening. I am looking forward to what is next in the Dark Dynasties series.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I offered to read this for review for Netgalley I was unaware that it was the third in the series. I was at first intimidated by the breakdown of the various bloodlines and their gifts. But halfway into the second chapter I was hooked. Ms. Castle tells an intriguing story. I was fascinated by the world Ms. Castle has created. I will most definitely be checking out the first two books in this series and looking forward to the next.
What happens when a sheltered member of the Grigori and a world weary shape-shifting assassin are both trying to find the same guy? Especially when the Grigori, Ariane, is beautiful, trusting and innocent. Shadow Damian keeps running into Ariane as he tries to find Sammiel. He is doing it for money and she is doing it for friendship. Sammiel is the closest thing Ariane has ever had as a friend until she left her people looking for him. Eventually Damian and Ariane agree to join forces in the hunt. But the hunt for Sammiel is just the beginning. Forces for change are happening and all the bloodlines are going to have to prepare for it.

[Mariann {at} Belle's Book Bag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love this book!! It reminds me a little of the Night Huntress series!! So incredibly good!!
Shadow Rising is my first book from Kendra Leigh Castle and it has made me a HUGE fan of hers.
I was immediately drawn into this story. Even though I started with Shadow Rising, the third book in the series, I never felt lost or unable to follow along but I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I love love love Damien and Ariane. He is so funny, sarcastic, cocky, broken, sexy, caring and sweet (the last two mostly just to Ariane). She is so sweet, caring, loving, a bit kick-ass and also a little vulnerable.
Loved them together and wanted a HEA for them so much. Shadow Rising had laughter, excitement, romance, great characters and Hot sex--what more could you ask for?? I loved the scene in the cemetery!!! ;) Just a great read that is definitely going into my keeper pile and will definitely be a reread for me. Actually I want to reread now!! LOL 5 out of 5 rating.

***ARC provided by NetGalley

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una lettura veramente eccellente. E' il primo libro che leggo della serie "dark dynasties" ma sicuramente ora mi procurerò anche gli altri. Ariane è un personaggio eccezionale, ingenua ma forte, un vampiro di 900 anni che però non sa nulla del nostro mondo. E la sua controparte maschile è veramente affascinante. Una lettura che ti tiene con il naso incollato alle pagine; un nuova autrice che devo assolutamente leggere.

Si ringrazia NetGalley per la gentile preview.

Voto: 4 stelle


A wonderful read, this is my first dark dynasties book but I loved the story and now I will also pick up the others of this series. Ariane is a great character, naive and strong, a 900-years-old vampire grigori who don't know a thing about the world. And her hero is absolutely charming.
A fast-paced read, and a new must-read author for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this preview.

Vote: 4 stars

[Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book! This is my first Kendra Leigh castle book and the third book in the dark dynasties series. Before I had even gotten through the first few chapters I had bought the rest of the books in the series.
The characters are brilliant. Ariane is a grigori and she is very lonely and naive when she sets out into the world to look for her missing friend. Damien is a shade and works for the House of Shadows, a organization that gets the messier jobs done for a price. The sparks fly when they are together and the adventure is great to read.
I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

[E_bookpushers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serious developments in the world here. I was pretty much engrossed from the very beginning. I really liked the heroine and her determination to rescue or at least find her friend. She went through some serious growing moments but still retained her hope for the future. I think that the Cait Sith are my favorite of all the paranormal elements so I really enjoyed the different aspects of the hero's personality. He was so bitter and jaded yet just like a cat was drawn by her insatiable curiosity.

I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not to be missed if reading this series. Gain more insight into the Grigori dynasty and their secrets. One of them go missing -Sammael, Ariane goes on her own at her own risk to hunt for him. Damien is also hired to locate him which in turns discovers Ariane and together go in search of her friend and his job. Through them you go on a dangerous adventure filled with fighting, their passion and secrets revealed. And if that is not all unexpected surprise ending that leaves you on edge for what will happen next with these dynasties.

[Maria C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is more of a 2.5 actually.
I really like the world that the author has created but the 2nd and 3rd book doesn't compare with the first one, which i loved and couldn't put down.
The last two are too slow, and there is something missing so you can't really relate or care for the main characters. making it impossible to get into the story.

[Iris Hunter (InstagramREADS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed in 2012 | Please check our site for the last reviews.
Checking our review history with the transfer of the old and new Netgalley to get our Feedback Ratio up to 100%

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: rolling ocean of sand outside the desert palace; Chicago – bars, Shades of Blue, flop house, rental unit; Vlad’s home in Charlotte, South Carolina; Empusae mansion; Tipton, Massachusetts – where they find Sammeal and Lucan, badly hurt (wing almost cut off, the other one’s wings shredded);

Theme:
Breaking other imposed boundaries; finding someone who fills the holes; making friends; finding friends; joining together to defend; falling in love;

Characters:
Ariane: 600 years old; turned by Sammael (unknown to her) when Normans attacked her village, killed her family, dragged her outside, and began to beat and rape her – she continued to fight… and Sammael found himself saving her and turning her; because born of passion and in traumatic times, born of emotion not of reason, she is a suspect among the Grigori – though she trains harder than the rest – watched to see if she is emotional; has wing tattoo – and after bonded with Damien, a single black cat now curled around the edge of her wings, as though guarding them; she is tired of being told no, and is worried about Sammael, thinking the rest are not taking it seriously; Sammael is her friend – and she decides to go out to the world to locate him herself;

Sammael: left a month earlier, and no one has heard from him; dead, captured, rebelling?; ends up he sees the horror of Chaos and is trying to counter it; left Ariane behind, thinking she would be safer;

Lucan: an ancient, never seen by Ariane; the guard to Chaos; sees how he is influencing Sariel, and sees that humanity is threatened, so engages help from Sammael to try and prevent his Rising;

Damien Tremaine: cat shifter (3 entwined, snarling, black cats in shape of Celtic circle); vampire; Shade (crescent moon) – bounty hunter, assassin, thief (tattoo of all 3); 300 years earlier, as human was a 3 son in a noble family – few expectations, and he exploited his position with wild, selfish ways; further rejected by family when he was turned… and now a Shade; he isn’t looking to die, but he isn’t working too hard to avoid it; assigned to look for Sammael;

Alistair Drake: Master Shade; business oriented; ‘owns’ Damien; very ambitious;

Grigori: dynasty of vampires, 7-ft tall, broad-chested, well muscled, with skin like pale marble; ancients – (unknown to outsiders) actually fallen angels, similar but not quite vampires, and their sires are vampires; considering themselves Watchers, not to be involved with humans – ends up that they kept separate because hoped to someday be taken back up to the creator; have wings (not known by outsiders); The Chaos demon – is of one ancient, chained below, being fed not just blood but souls – enough to keep him alive – if/when he rises, he would destroy humanity and rule; humans are brought to the palace for a couple of months at a time, living in luxury in exchange for being willing blood donors;

Sariel: leader of the Grigori; an ancient; his logic distorted by his brother Chaos, and he is ready to free his brother – having given up on redemption, and wanting power instead;

Oren: contemporary of Ariane; prided self in his self control, yet he is angry that the polluted Ariane allowed to live, and he makes her life uncomfortable whenever he can; he has always beat her in training, though often cheats by getting assistance from others; sent to look for Sammael instead of Ariane; once Ariane disappeared, ordered to locate her and bring her back alive (so soul could be fed to the Rising beast); Ariane defeats him in battle; as he is dying, he tells Ariane – so many secrets you don’t know. Secrets in the sand… in your blood… and his blood can stop the Rising (it brightens her soul), He stirs and hungers beneath the sand.

Chaos aka Angel-No-More aka Nothing aka Everything aka Rising: though the rest died, he escaped… next book?

Lily MacGillivray / Jaden Harrison: ruler of the reborn Lilim (witches); werewolf;

Vlad Dracul: an intellectual; not at all like the legends; head of his own dynasty; friends with Damien, and invites them to his home; hosts the vampire council meeting;

Thomas Manon: broker of illegal things; Sammael had contact with him… Ariane and Damien both want to talk to him; Lucan gets to him first (not ready to be found)…

Elena Santiago: vampire who ran safe house for vampires; has investment properties, and allow Ariane to stay in one; they become good friends – she counsels Ariana, who reminds her of her sister; warns her about Damien, but extends a voice of hope when Damien leaves her;

Summary:
Outer story – following clues that go beyond Sammael, to include another ancient, and a threat to all humanity and vampires – that it is foretold will take the cooperation of all the vampires to defeat; at council meeting, Sariel shows up with his gang, drugs them all, and takes them to the underground prison…

And inner story – girl meets boy… girl can’t stand boy… girl and boy are attracted to one another, she is innocent, he is an instigator… girl and boy work together… girl and boy become friendly… boy finds that he wants to be with girl, he wants to ease girl, he wants to care for girl… girl feels alive with boy… boy tries to warn her away, to find the deal breaker that turns her away, but girl accepts him as he is… boy doesn’t want to give her up, boy binds girls to him, girls wants it… but next day when girl tells him she loves him, he leaves… but he misses her… and though ready to come back to her, when told she is in danger, he swiftly goes to her aid… and together, with Sammael and Lucan, they defeat the bad guys.

Memorable Scenes:
“He (Sariel) was strong, unlike her; she was weakened by her attachments and her most private dreams. In those dreams, which she had never shared with a soul, she was happy, fulfilled, even loved – and far away from here. A palace, however opulent, could still be a prison.”

Sariel lectures: “…humanity is like a troop of bellicose monkeys. Understanding them is simple enough. It was a defective design, I’ve always thought.”

Damien – first meeting of Ariane at bar: “to his shock, he had to swallow back an inadvertent purr. He didn’t purr for anyone. Anyone.” (and later on he purrs with regularity when with her, and after he marks her, she develops her own purr – ahh)

“Damien appeared to have two default settings: jerk and letch.”

“But that had been before. Before the Lilum, before he’d somehow won back Ty’s friendship and forged another with Vlad Dracul. He was changing. This strange infatuation with Ariane was just another symptom.”

“…the beautiful apartment he had in Seattle. It was filled of ridiculously expensive odds and ends, with a horde of treasure a dragon would envy.” But Ariane tells him “I just pictured you with a little oasis tucked away somewhere for your downtime…. Somewhere stuffed with things you’ve picked up on your travels. A cross between a magpie’s nest and an armory.” … and in the end… once they are mated, and she is turned… he is excited to find a new home with her, that they will fill with treasures of their travels.

“It didn’t get much more important than removing her dynasty’s leader in order to take on a chained up, soul-eating demon that he happened to be related to. (Ariane’s chance to prove herself)… “Damien was damaged and difficult and scarred. But he had brought a color and life to her existence unlike anything she’d known before. He professed to be a liar, but with her, he had been brutally honest about his strengths. (and at the end)… thinking she had never seen such a perfectly imperfect man in all her life… and that she wouldn’t trade him for anything. I love you. Every bit of you.”

[Sasa03 · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Erben der Vampire – Vertraute Schatten“ wurde von Kendra Leigh Caste geschrieben. Es handelt sich dabei um den dritten Band ihrer Erben des Blutes-Reihe. Die einzelnen Bände können unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden, da es in jedem Band um ein anderes Pärchen geht. Dieser Band erzählt die Geschichte von Ariane, einer Angehörigen der Grigori und Damien, einem Auftragsmörder und Katzenwandler.
Das Cover gefällt mir und passt optisch gut in die Reihe. Der Schreibstil ist locker und flüssig gehalten. Man kommt gut in die Geschichte rein und kann der Handlung ohne Probleme folgen. Erzählt wird dabei aus den Perspektiven von Damien und Ariane. Beide haben mich von Anfang an fasziniert. Man begleitet sie auf einer spannenden Mission, bei der sie das ein oder andere Geheimnis aufdecken und sich ineinander verlieben.
Ariane hat mir anfangs richtig leidgetan. Sie fühlt sich bei den Grigori nicht wohl. Über Jahrhunderte ist sie im abgelegenen Schloss eingesperrt, zum Nichtstun verdammt. Untypisch für die Klasse ihrer Art, ist sie sehr temperamentvoll und handelt oftmals sehr impulsiv und bringt sich dadurch in interessante Situationen. Zudem ist sie sehr mutig und eine gute Freundin, die sogar ihr Leben riskiert, um Sammael zu retten.
Damien ist vom Charakter her das komplette Gegenteil. Er ist kontrolliert, abweisend, verbirgt seine Gefühle und arbeitet am liebsten alleine. Dann trifft er auf Ariane, die ihn aus einer brenzligen Situation rettet. Obwohl er nie gedacht hätte, mit jemandem zusammen zu arbeiten, geben die Beiden ein super Team ab, mit dem man sich nicht anlegen sollte. Aus der Abneigung und dem abweisenden Verhalten, entwickelt sich schnell eine hitzige Beziehung. Ich habe es sehr genossen, der Geschichte der Beiden zu folgen.
Besonders spannend fand ich die Geheimnisse der Grigori, welche langsam ans Licht gekommen sind und, wie alles zusammenhing. Die Reihe verspricht einen spannenden Showdown, den ich kaum erwarten kann. Ich bin schon neugierig, wie es weitergehen wird.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

~* 4.5 Stars *~
I Love this Series!
He's a thief. He's an assassin. He's a dissolute rogue. As a Cait Sith and Shade of the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is all those things. Mostly though, he's really bloody bored with his long, long life.

The contract to find a missing member of the House of the mysterious - and freaky - Grigori at least provides a bit of a challenge. And if he's lucky, an opportunity to poke someone with something sharp. That's always fun.

Sure, he'd been informed of a rogue female Grigori roaming around, but if he's not getting paid for it, he has no interest in a female who probably resembles her obscenely large and ridiculously manly brethren. Then he actually meets the woman, and even as she's endeavoring to separate his head from his shoulders, Damien is struck dumb by her ethereal beauty and fierce determination. Suddenly boredom is a thing of the past and he can't stop purring long enough to convince her to stop trying to kill him.

All Ariane wants to do is find the only friend she's had in her centuries-long existence. She's fled her desert home and broken most of the Grigori's stringent rules, all in the hopes of locating Sammael. She's certainly not going to let some gorgeous but lowborn, cat-shifting vampire impede her on her quest. Even if she has no leads, no contacts, and no way of knowing where to find either.

He could use her knowledge of her people to aid him in his search. She could use his connections and his experience with a world from which she's been completely sheltered. And when a dark, insidious secret of the Grigori comes to light, a secret they've hidden from the world at large until it's poised to rise up and destroy them all, they will need each other more than either one of them could have ever dreamed...just to survive.

~*~

Only three books in and this series is already one of my favorites in paranormal romance, and this book is my favorite of the three. I am a total sucker for antiheroes, and Damien is just my kind of bad, bad boy. Snarky, irreverent, cynical, shallow with the capacity for casual cruelty, he's also loyal and honorable in his own way, and he's his own harshest critic.

And when he meets Ariane and turns into a big purring mess, I was totally sunk. I adored him.

Ariane was great, too, though she's not quite my preferred type in the genre. Her naivety, innocence, and lack of experience didn't thrill me. Combined, they made her character strike a little too close to the virginal heroines most often found in historical romance, but Castle balanced her with the kick-ass fighting skills of a warrior and gave her a pair of killer wings (I love wings). And her easy acceptance (once she stopped trying to skewer him, anyway) of the flawed, complicated Damien endeared me to her quite a lot.

The chemistry between them was instant and hot, and I loved how their relationship evolves as the plot progresses. Though the heat between them was fast, there was quite a lot of natural contention in their relationship at first, and as the story progressed, their partnership grew into a strong romance in a nicely organic fashion.

One of the greatest things about this series in general and this book in particular is the robust the world building, layered plot, and fantastic ancillary elements. The poor, maligned Cait Sith make wonderfully original protagonists. They are all so flawed and damaged, rife with internal conflicts that add delicious layers to their individual characters and subsequent romance arcs. Damien was a perfect addition to their ranks.

I loved finding out more about the Grigori, too. They've been mentioned before in the series but not much was known about them. The revelations were quick, rich, and fabulously intriguing once Ariane was introduced, and the mythos surrounding them built throughout the narrative, creating the foundation for the external conflict and cascading into a shocking climax.

The ending did feel a little abrupt to me, and even after rereading the denouement, I'm not entirely sure what happened, or how things ended up the way they did. There was a big climactic scene, then it was over and the dust settled, but the fallout was noted, not explained. I found it odd that no one questioned it, and I'm still not clear on how the good guys came out on top or what made the bad guys' ending so...simultaneous and inclusive. Perhaps that will be revisited in a later book, but it left me with several questions in this one.

That was the only issue I had with the story, however, and frankly, it didn't really dim the glow all that much. I just love this series and the characters in it who I've come to know and appreciate. One of my favorite secondary characters, Vlad, is in quite a lot of this book, too, so I was all kinds of happy while I was reading. In fact, with two excellent main characters, a fantastic romance, great surrounding story with an entire stable of memorable secondary characters, and just enough plot threads left untied to guarantee more fun reading in future books, what's not to love?

Quotables:

He was charming, damn it! She was supposed to notice!

~*~

"Unless I'm missing something important, yes, the man is dead," Damien finally replied. "I think his head is over there behind the desk, if you need further proof. Are you finished being overly dramatic yet?"
"His head?" The vampire gave a pitiful moan, his eyes rolling.
"Ah, apparently not. Lovely."

~*~

Ariane reached behind her and drew her blade.
And not just any blade. It was the sort of sword no vampire had any business carrying. The sort of sword that said, "I am ancient and terrible and I don't have time to let those who annoy me live."

~*~

"So this is how it ends for me. Afflicted with a plague of Grigori. If anyone else around here grows wings, I'm going to stab them in the head and light them on fire. I've had it."

Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Forever publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Nessa]

DNF. #impickythatway
The male lead's character wasn't my type - fun, flirty and a little bit too much of a softie with a sharp tongue. You know the moment the MCs meet and you don't feel that spark? Well, this was it for me. Personally, even though this would be enjoyable, having read the first book, I found it just average, and believe this reads the same. Perhaps it's just the writing style that I don't like, and the plot was just okay.

[Helyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As posted in July 2012 at www.smexybooks.com

Ariane may be hundreds of years old, but her life since her turning has been very sheltered. She is of the prestigious and most ancient of the dynasties, the Grigori Dynasty and she’s spent her life hidden away among her people. With no memories of her mortal life, her vampire life is all she knows. Though a highly trained and skilled warrior, she’s never been chosen to leave the walls of the compound in order to venture out into the world, something she longs to do. When her beloved friend Sammael disappears and she is not chosen to look for him, she takes matters into her own hands. Escaping the walls of the only home she’s known, she ventures out into the world to look for Sammael.

Damien Tremaine is a cat shifting vampire for the House of Shadows. A hired assassin, his skills are highly sought after. When he’s hired by the leader of the Grigori to find Sammael, it’s only a matter of time before he crosses paths with Ariane. She is nothing like he expected and he is beguiled by her exquisite beauty. Soon the danger to them both becomes too real and they agree to work together toward their common goal.

Together and with the help of some of the other dynasties, they move forward in their quest, all the while getting closer and closer until they cannot resist their desire for each other. When they uncover the awful truth about the secret the Grigori ancients have been keeping, their bond will be tested as they fight to do the right thing.

This series just keeps getting better and better! In this book, we learn much about the Grigori Dynasty-one of the oldest of the Dynasties and though I shouldn’t have been surprised about their origins because of some of their abilities, I still was-and I loved it. The Grigori have always been the watchers-they observe all, but do not get involved. They keep to themselves, way out in the desert and rarely have they been seen out among the humans. They are not well known and now we know why-they have a huge secret and it could mean the end of the Grigori.

I loved the character of Ariane. While clearly innocent, having been sheltered among the Grigori since her turning, I found her to be a strong woman who made a decision and stuck to it. Her decision to leave was not an easy one, but as Sammael was really her only true friend and confidant among her people, she really felt that she had no choice. Her strength of character comes through as well, and she is never naïve in any way which made her venturing into the human world believable. She is not over trusting, but easily adapts to the world.

I have adored Damien since first meeting him in book one. I just knew that there was more to him than the brooding, aloof and cold assassin persona that he would like everyone to believe about him. Yes, he is an assassin, and he is highly skilled at it, but in Dark Awakening we glimpse just a little bit of a different part of him when he helps Ty and Lily in their quest to free the Cait Sith from the Ptolemy. Then again in Midnight Reckoning, we see him help Jaden and Lyra in their nearly impossible fight. In here, we truly see him in a different light as we watch the walls he has erected start to crumble as Ariane works her way through to his heart.

Of course, this is not an easy task for Ariane and Ms. Castle does a fantastic job building the tension between these two. The attraction is huge, but their reaction to each other is subtle and understated for quite a while. When these two finally come together, you are left without a doubt that they belong together; even as Damien continues to think he can just walk away.

Ms. Castle does the tortured hero very well and Damien does not disappoint. A former slave of the Cait Sith himself, moving to the House of Shadows just made him a slave of another kind. After years of this, it’s not surprising that he thinks so little of himself or that he is undeserving of the happiness that he has with Ariane. Ariane senses Damien’s reluctance and keeps her feelings to herself until she is just unable to do so anymore. Even then, Damien holds back, unable to say the words that Ariane wants to hear.

The final conflict in this installment brings together the heads of each of the Dynasties as they attempt to fight the Grigori to make sure their plan is not successful. It’s a fabulous set up for what is to come as the Dynasty heads confirm their long held suspicion that one of the Dynasty leaders is weak and near death and a weak dynasty is a Dynasty just waiting to be taken over. Additionally, the secret of the Grigori is left somewhat unresolved and I imagine that this too could come back to haunt them.

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Castle for a while and this series will not disappoint. With each book, I am drawn ever deeper into the world she’s created. She writes with subtle humor which I love and her world building is incredible. I love how she is able to describe and include details without it being overwhelming to the reader. She also writes great sex scenes that have you believing in the couple’s love long before they admit it to themselves. I cannot wait for the next book, Immortal Craving, due out in February 2013.

[Katherine Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one to the series. Each book seems to cover a different race of vampires. And are the Gragori Vampires, angels, or half and half?

[Katy Lohman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars = very enjoyable.

I hope there's more about the original Grigori in future books.

Can't wait to see what happens next.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 -3 stars. Female lead was a bit of a let down, she's a tad overly dramatic.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions . . .

As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend Sammael vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.

A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, they begin an alliance of necessity that soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally . . . or tear them-and everything they care about-apart.

Review

"4.5 Stars, HOT! Castle rejuvenates the paranormal genre with her singular take on the vampire mythos. She skillfully combines multilayered characters with a plot that's part thriller, part paranormal fantasy and all exciting fiction. And the hot and sensual love scenes don't hurt, either! Even though this is book three in the Dark Dynasties series, new readers will be enthralled." (RT Book Reviews )

"Castle demonstrates considerable skill in crafting a tale that offers readers a conflict-ridden forbidden love interlaced with political intrigue and betrayal . . . The author's world-building is intricate and cohesive . . . plenty of action . . . I like Castle's voice and look forward to reading more of her work." (USAToday.com on *Midnight Reckoning* )

"Castle's world-building is superb and leaves readers wanting more." (Romantic Times on DARK AWAKENING )

"Rising star Castle is sure to please with an exciting new series. Passion and loyalty collide as the hero is forced to re-evaluate the choices that have driven his life." (RT Book Reviews on DARK AWAKENING )

"[Dark Awakening] grabs you from the first page and the next thing you know you've been reading for several hours immersed in Lily and Ty's world. I adored this story, was sorry it ended so soon and have put the next in the series on my wishlist already. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should put this on their wishlist." (BittenByParanormalRomance.com on DARK AWAKENING )

"I am always thrilled when I find a new spin on the vampire mystique, and Dark Awakening certainly fits the bill. An amazing story of ancient dynasties, class divisions, curses and blood feuds, this book has opened new and exciting views into vampire worlds...The problem with such a new and detailed book is there is so much information I want to impart, but the most important thing I can say is READ THIS BOOK." (You Gotta Read Reviews on DARK AWAKENING )

"Castle put a fresh spin to her vampire series that I hadn't seen before. The world building was superb and I found myself captivated from the very first page. I HIGHLY recommend this one and found this to be a total and complete book seduction. Yay! I've got another author to add to my ever growing list of favorites. I am so looking forward to the sequel." (SeducedByABook.com on DARK AWAKENING )

"Kendra Leigh Castle has set the stage for a phenomenal new vampire series which will take the paranormal genre by storm. Dark Awakening has one of the most interesting and well-thought out vampire hierarchies that I have encountered in a vampire novel. Vampire novels just don't get any better than this!" (FreshFiction.com on DARK AWAKENING )

About the Author

Kendra Leigh Castle is the author of five previous paranormal romance novels: Call of the Highland Moon, Dark Highland Fire, Wild Highland Magic, Dark Awakening, and Midnight Reckoning. SHADOW RISING is the third book in her Dark Dynasties series. She lives in Maryland with her husband, their three children, three high-maintenance dogs, and one enormous Siberian cat.

You can learn more at:

KendraLeighCastle.com

Twitter @KendraLCastle

Facebook.com/kendraleighcastle

[L.E.Olteano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, full review to come :)

In good tradition, though I have seen the first titles of this series around, I never got to read them - and I soundly and thoroughly regretted that as soon as I began reading this baby right here. Not because I felt like I wouldn't be able to keep up with the story because of missing bits of information, but because it was such an entertaining read.

The world of this novel was, in one word, fabulous. I couldn't have asked for more, really, vampires, shifters, dynasties and conflict - all around fabulousness. Of course, we're talking vampires and shifters, pretty much traditional PNR beings, but they do come with a twist. In fact, more of a twist then I would have though, you'll end up discovering that some vampires are something you wouldn't have expected. So in this world, the element of surprise may not be exactly the building blocks, but the way they combine and the result they bring.
As a personal note, the subtle angel angle that pops out in the story isn't a big plus, as you guys know I'm not big on any angel associations in these stories. This is probably what turned my excitement down a notch, somewhere closer to the end of story.

The characters were my favorite part, as always. I'm predictable like that :P
They were pretty solidly built, it was clear where they were coming from, what motivated them, what their drive was.
Damien was very charismatic, he had that bad boy charm but also an inherent goodness, somehow, you know what I mean? He's exactly the kind of mix you're gonna enjoy, all crunchy on the outside with juicy filling :D He's a very conflicted guy, and I'm a sucker for that every time.
Ariane was perhaps less charismatic but very endearing. As the story unfolded she evolved, she matured to some extent though she was old enough to begin with. But leading a sheltered life, she starts off almost as a kid, a teenager with mad fighting skills maybe.
Their chemistry was interesting, it was the simmering slow burn sort of thing rather then actually explosive. I generally tend to like the slow burn type better, it makes more sense with the characters and it feels more real to me, more love story then affair, you know? So this read like a love story, big plus for me.

The plot was really active without becoming overwhelming for me. I was interested in what was going on and the romance angle was woven in beautifully, it didn't stand out to outshine the events but it didn't go on the back-burner either. The story outside of the romance was really interesting, I would have wanted to see what was what even without the romance going on.

The writing was really good, I loved it. It was unpretentious and straight forward, but at the same time the imagery was very suggestive. The part I liked the most probably would be the feeling, characters came through beautifully because of their feelings and it was really easy to relate. Fighting scenes were really well written too, I liked the focus on elements. And most of all, I loved the sense of humor. It wasn't an overall funny story, but when the characters had a good sense of humor and as always I loved that.

As far as curb appeal goes, the cover is pretty standard. I wouldn't say it was what sold me the read, though the tattoo intrigued me somewhat since it's not the regular tribal, so it made me think it has some special meaning - and it did. I loved that after I got its meaning. Without the book blurb, I probably wouldn't have gone for it, but I wouldn't have dismissed it just on the cover either. It's one of those standard ones I guess, it didn't really pop out on itself. As a personal note, I felt previous covers of the books in the series were more attractive, especially book #1 for instance. But maybe that's just me.

Overall, this was a good read. It was fun, entertaining, interesting, it kept me curious all the way and the romance was well paced. If you like PNR, give it a try even if you didn't read the other books in the series, I didn't and I had a great time reading this one.

Butterfly-o-Meter Books

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Another remarkable book in a great series that continues its tradition of having strong female characters.

Opening Sentence: “Ariane.”

The Review:

Dark Dynasties continues with the third novel, Shadow Rising. After reading the previous two novels in this series, Shadow Rising kept its theme of the strong female character. There weren’t so many twists in this novel, it was more of a mystery in that secrets were slow to reveal as more questions/mysteries were added on to the story. The events of this novel could have huge repercussions to the Dark Dynasty world.

Damien started the series as a bad guy but quickly became the bad guy with a heart of gold. He finally gets his story. Damien works for the House of Shadows as an assassin but he does get other jobs including finding missing vampires. The very secretive house of Grigori have recently had a couple vampires disappear and they hire the House of Shadows to find them and return them. Damien is in charge of finding Sammael but if he also finds the missing Ariane, he must return her too.

Ariane left the enclave of the Grigori in order to look for her mentor, Sammael — Ariane wants to know why he left her behind. After many years of living in the desert enclave, Ariane is unprepared for the world around her but she quickly learns to blend in (although with her purple eyes and white hair blending in is hard to do). Ariane is willing to do whatever she can in order to find her mentor including teaming up with the difficult and attractive Damien.

The vampires are quickly attracted to each other but they each have their own mission that they are focused on. They spend their time trying to fight the attraction because there are numerous reasons that it would be a bad idea for them to get together. The novel spends quite a bit of time discussing how bad it would be if they had a relationship.

Shadow Rising was a fast paced book and I really didn’t like having to put it down to work or do errands. I really wanted to know what was going on with the Grigori and how Damien and Ariane would have their “happy ending”. The atmosphere of the novel was dark but with a hint of humor. The novel is told in the third person with the point of views jumping around between the two main characters.

The only real problem I had with this novel was the ending. The ending to Shadow Rising almost felt too easy after all the drama that the characters had to go through. I kept thinking their ending would have some trouble but it ended up not turning out that way especially with all the attention drawn towards it. For the most part, I enjoyed the authors writing and I loved the banter between Damien and Ariane, it made their attraction to each other that much more enjoyable.

Overall, this has been a great series so far and Shadow Rising was another remarkable book in a great series. I can’t wait to see what else this series has to offer.

Notable Scene:

Ariane landed lightly on the ground a few feet away from where Oren had fallen at the edge of a field. He was writing in pain in a pool of blood, his one good wing curling and uncurling. Nausea coiled deep in her stomach. She had done that. She.

He must have caught her scent, because he spoke to her without even looking at her.

“Treacherous bitch. More will come after me. You deserve a worse death than you’ll get for dishonoring the blood in your veins.” He ground out the words, his pain evident in every syllable.

She forced herself to walk slowly toward him, slightly favoring the ankle that was already nearly healed, a death grip on the blood-covered dagger in her hand. She wasn’t sure whether he had the strength to leap up and continue the fight, but she was taking no chances.

“I don’t… I don’t want to kill you Oren,” she said, hearing the tremor in her own voice. “But I will if you don’t stop. I am not the enemy.”

He laughed, a pained, hollow sound, and turned his head to watch her approach. “You’ve already killed me,” he said. “So many secrets you don’t know. Secrets in the sand… in your blood.”

FTC Advisory: Forever/Hachette provided me with a copy of Shadow Rising. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.