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Dark Angels #5
Darkness Unmasked
Keri Arthur's explosive Dark Angels series is packed with everything you could want: a fiesty heroine, witches, vampires, werewolves, demons, angels of death, suspense and a whole lot of sexy action.
The sexy, exciting, suspenseful adventures continue in New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series, starring Risa Jones, a half-Aedh/half-werewolf. She can speak to the souls of the dying and the dead, and can see Reapers, the collectors of souls.
Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives 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.
The sexy, exciting, suspenseful adventures continue in New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series, starring Risa Jones, a half-Aedh/half-werewolf. She can speak to the souls of the dying and the dead, and can see Reapers, the collectors of souls.
Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives 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.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2013
102 people are currently reading
2863 people want to read
About the author
Keri Arthur
100 books6,002 followersKeri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
July 11, 2013
I am so pissed off at this book, I can barely think coherently. In fact, if I'd written this last night immediately after finishing it, I think this review would have consisted entirely of, "Are you freaking kidding me??" Here's the thing--this series is dragging on interminably. Risa's got to find 3 keys to put the world's (and our) suffering to an end, and yet we're lucky if she spends even 1/4 of her time looking for them. And then it always just ends in, "Whoops! Missed it by that much!" At this rate, it's going to take 15 books to find those damn keys and I'll have died of an apoplectic fit sometime around book 10.
The ONLY thing that keeps me still reading these things is Risa and Azriel. It took us four freaking books before they finally got together, then he pulls a "It can never happen again." I assume I'm going to have to suffer through quite a bit more of his Grim Reaper-tude before he comes around, but surprisingly, no! He gets a little flirty, there's some flashing lights, and now all of a sudden he's onboard with the thought of afternoon delight. AND IT ALL HAPPENS OFF CAMERA!!!! Considering all the "activity" Riley used to get herself up to, and even what Risa was up to at the beginning of the series, THIS is all I get?? Two passages that basically amount to, "Makeup sex is great." and "I did, he did, and it was glorious."???? Look, I'm not saying it's all about the sex; in fact, in Riley's case, I used to think it could stand to get toned down a bit, so I was kinda relieved when Risa turned out to be a bit more restrained. But to be short-changed on the one thing I consider to be a true positive in this series is just more than I can stand. And when you add in that the only "activity" described in any detail is essentially a rape by Lucien (oh, hey--spoiler alert! Like you're really surprised by that one), that's it--there's no good to counter the bad.
A couple of good things happen at the very end (not Risa-Azriel good, just something that means at least a small amount of my torture should be relieved), and other than that, it's all crap. This series needs to end, already.
The ONLY thing that keeps me still reading these things is Risa and Azriel. It took us four freaking books before they finally got together, then he pulls a "It can never happen again." I assume I'm going to have to suffer through quite a bit more of his Grim Reaper-tude before he comes around, but surprisingly, no! He gets a little flirty, there's some flashing lights, and now all of a sudden he's onboard with the thought of afternoon delight. AND IT ALL HAPPENS OFF CAMERA!!!! Considering all the "activity" Riley used to get herself up to, and even what Risa was up to at the beginning of the series, THIS is all I get?? Two passages that basically amount to, "Makeup sex is great." and "I did, he did, and it was glorious."???? Look, I'm not saying it's all about the sex; in fact, in Riley's case, I used to think it could stand to get toned down a bit, so I was kinda relieved when Risa turned out to be a bit more restrained. But to be short-changed on the one thing I consider to be a true positive in this series is just more than I can stand. And when you add in that the only "activity" described in any detail is essentially a rape by Lucien (oh, hey--spoiler alert! Like you're really surprised by that one), that's it--there's no good to counter the bad.
A couple of good things happen at the very end (not Risa-Azriel good, just something that means at least a small amount of my torture should be relieved), and other than that, it's all crap. This series needs to end, already.
January 1, 2022
The story is good, it is the way the character is written to react to situations which I find very frustrating... Ghhhrrrrr!
June 3, 2013
UPDATED WITH AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW
I won an early ARC of this book, so I'll write a more in-depth review after it's released. For now I will say that all those fans that have been upset about the Risa/Azriel saga...this is the book you don't want to miss. The tension finally explodes between them, and it's a spectacular display of fireworks. I'm not a crier, romances usually make me roll my eyes, but this book had me sobbing at the end. This book has it all, joy, hope, despair, darkness, it delivers on all cylinders. It's easily the best so far in the series. A must read!
Now that it's released, here is my official review. I'm going to break it down by topic. But I will have to make it abundantly clear, DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU WANT THIS BOOK TO BE A SURPRISE! Now, with that said, let's begin, shall we?
SPOILER ALERT
Risa/Azriel-
Reaper Sex-
Actual People Sex-
Madeline Hunter's stupid chore of the week-
The big topic, the true central story of the book, the man we all love to hate, Lucian-
I won an early ARC of this book, so I'll write a more in-depth review after it's released. For now I will say that all those fans that have been upset about the Risa/Azriel saga...this is the book you don't want to miss. The tension finally explodes between them, and it's a spectacular display of fireworks. I'm not a crier, romances usually make me roll my eyes, but this book had me sobbing at the end. This book has it all, joy, hope, despair, darkness, it delivers on all cylinders. It's easily the best so far in the series. A must read!
Now that it's released, here is my official review. I'm going to break it down by topic. But I will have to make it abundantly clear, DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU WANT THIS BOOK TO BE A SURPRISE! Now, with that said, let's begin, shall we?
SPOILER ALERT
Risa/Azriel-
Reaper Sex-
Actual People Sex-
Madeline Hunter's stupid chore of the week-
The big topic, the true central story of the book, the man we all love to hate, Lucian-
June 10, 2015
4.5
Darkness Unmasked certainly has a suitable title. I love it and hate it at the same time. More than one thing/person gets unmasked in the course of the story. Hunter through the case, the rest through the keys storyline. That is not to say that anything is resolved.
This book's case has a spirit that kills people in a nasty way that only leaves hardened skin behind. Hunter's friend and lover is killed by the thing and she wants revenge. I hate Hunter. It has nothing to do how evil or scary she is. As the reaper says, her threats grow tedious. I mean, there is absolutely no change from Hunter before and Hunter now. Every single time Risa gets a call from her or meets her, it is the same old same old.
I can appreciate the case-per-book plot. It offers an opportunity for Risa to make mistakes, to learn, but also for the reaper to get more depth.
The main story (the search for the keys) unmasked more than Risa ever expected. This book was very hard to get through. There is this thing that happens near the end I almost couldn't stomach. The good thing is Risa gets her revenge. The bad, she loses a lot.
The way everyone and their mother can use Risa's friend to blackmail her is a bit annoying because I am only told that Risa, Ilianna and Tao are best friends. I don't get enough of their friendship. At least, not enough to justify everything.
I hated that ending.
Darkness Unmasked certainly has a suitable title. I love it and hate it at the same time. More than one thing/person gets unmasked in the course of the story. Hunter through the case, the rest through the keys storyline. That is not to say that anything is resolved.
This book's case has a spirit that kills people in a nasty way that only leaves hardened skin behind. Hunter's friend and lover is killed by the thing and she wants revenge. I hate Hunter. It has nothing to do how evil or scary she is. As the reaper says, her threats grow tedious. I mean, there is absolutely no change from Hunter before and Hunter now. Every single time Risa gets a call from her or meets her, it is the same old same old.
I can appreciate the case-per-book plot. It offers an opportunity for Risa to make mistakes, to learn, but also for the reaper to get more depth.
The main story (the search for the keys) unmasked more than Risa ever expected. This book was very hard to get through. There is this thing that happens near the end I almost couldn't stomach. The good thing is Risa gets her revenge. The bad, she loses a lot.
The way everyone and their mother can use Risa's friend to blackmail her is a bit annoying because I am only told that Risa, Ilianna and Tao are best friends. I don't get enough of their friendship. At least, not enough to justify everything.
I hated that ending.
June 12, 2013
I cannot believe the ending that this book has left me!
I have to say that I was over joyed to have Riley Jenson (Risa's aunt) play a role, although short, it was great to see her and Quinn involved. Rhoan is always on the sidelines in Risa's books so he keeps me tied to Riley regardless...
Darkness unmasked takes us on a couple of journeys here, one of them has continued throughout with the search of the Keys - we all know Lucian wasn't the guy we knew he was trying to be, however, the shock that came toward the ending blew me away - I admit, I should have seen it coming but it still made me curse!!!
Another journey is with our very own gorgeous, handsome, sexy, hunky (need I go on?) Reaper, Azriel... Geez I love this character with abundance... I can see changes with Azriel and I'm not sure what to think, but the ending, again, had me cursing Risa this time and crying out for more of Azriel... I am sure we will discover what is going on here in the next installment...
Of course, Risa is held by Hunter with a kind of blackmail and has been for a while now... What we witness with Hunter in this book has me very nervous and I can see a couple of plots building between characters very soon...
Another fantastic book for me, but I am biased when it comes to Keri Arthur's stories, one of my favourite authors (as I keep on saying) and one that I would recommend to everyone... I can't wait for the next Dark Angel book!!!
I have to say that I was over joyed to have Riley Jenson (Risa's aunt) play a role, although short, it was great to see her and Quinn involved. Rhoan is always on the sidelines in Risa's books so he keeps me tied to Riley regardless...
Darkness unmasked takes us on a couple of journeys here, one of them has continued throughout with the search of the Keys - we all know Lucian wasn't the guy we knew he was trying to be, however, the shock that came toward the ending blew me away - I admit, I should have seen it coming but it still made me curse!!!
Another journey is with our very own gorgeous, handsome, sexy, hunky (need I go on?) Reaper, Azriel... Geez I love this character with abundance... I can see changes with Azriel and I'm not sure what to think, but the ending, again, had me cursing Risa this time and crying out for more of Azriel... I am sure we will discover what is going on here in the next installment...
Of course, Risa is held by Hunter with a kind of blackmail and has been for a while now... What we witness with Hunter in this book has me very nervous and I can see a couple of plots building between characters very soon...
Another fantastic book for me, but I am biased when it comes to Keri Arthur's stories, one of my favourite authors (as I keep on saying) and one that I would recommend to everyone... I can't wait for the next Dark Angel book!!!
Want to read
November 7, 2012Per Author's newsletter:
Not only have NAL purchased books 6 and 7 in the Dark Angels series, but they've bought the first two books of my new series, which features a phoenix heroine. Big yay!
Darkness Unmasked, the 5th of the Dark Angels series, is slotted in for June 2013 release, and, at this stage, Darkness Splintered (book 6) will be available November 2013.
I'm also working on a secret project, that I should be able to tell you more about next newsletter :)
June 7, 2013
Spoilers
-Much more enjoyable than the previous installment (Darkness Hunts). I still had a lot of issues with it, but the development of certain story arcs, relationships and characters were enough to keep me engaged.
-I wasn't impressed with the inclusion of yet another "case of the week" type plot — it took up a good chunk of the book and added little to the series overall. The most it did was make me hate Madeline Hunter more, she was such a cow to Risa - Hunter's vampire lover was murdered, so she forced Risa to solve the crime by threatening her and generally acting like a psychotic cow.
-At least this time it actually made some sense when Hunter rather than relying solely on the Directorate made Risa (who's a chef) carry out the investigation as well… Since Hunter wanted to kill the murderer herself instead of leaving it to the Directorate.
It always annoyed me in earlier books when Hunter made Risa investigate random murders, Risa had no qualifications but for some reason Hunter expected her to go all CSI and Sherlock on murder scenes.
It was dumb, especially when Hunter had tons of experienced employees and resources to do all that crime rubbish. Why make Risa do it? Why waste Risa's time, when she also had to find the keys to hell for her? How can she have time to find the keys when she's doing shit other people are more than capable of doing?
It's obvious the "case of the week" type plots aren't going anywhere. But I'm getting sick of all the lame reasons for Risa being pulled in to solve them… She has zero crime experience and she's also busy with end of the world type things — so it makes no sense that Hunter would take Risa's focus away from finding the keys (which only she can do) just so she can help her with stuff someone else can do.
The author should have just made Risa a Directorate worker instead of a chef — at least that way the "case of the week" type plots would make sense instead of seeming contrived, filler and nonsensical.
-Risa's character was decent enough, she's not an average-do-goody-boring heroine, she thankfully has a tiny bit more attitude than the usual plank-like UF/PNR heroine.
One thing that did annoy me was Risa constantly defending Lucian when he'd more than once proven how untrustworthy he was. What bugged me even more was that whenever she defended him, she had nothing to support her argument other than she just didn't think he could or would do evil thing A, B or C. I would have been okay with her sticking up for him if she had some actual logic, evidence or reason behind why she believed he wouldn't do evil thing A, B or C other than "just because".
-Azriel was as great as ever. I liked that he wasn't as hot and cold as before, he was a little more open and cool about his feelings for Risa.
-Risa hardly ever got to sleep, eat or recharge properly… It was kind of exhausting and frustrating to read about. Why can't the author let her sleep or eat without getting disturbed all the time?
-I loved Risa's friendships with Tao and Ilianna - I like when heroines actually have friends and a support network (instead of being loners), it gives them more depth and complexity.
-Illiana was great, Tao was a bit of a whiner though.
-I was sick of how many time Risa "snorted softly".
-Risa's demonic sword, Amaya, was really funny — she was evul but in a cute way.
-Characters getting raped and then said characters getting over it straight away annoyed the hell out of me - Risa and Ilianna shrugged of their rape like it was nothing.
-Madeline needs to the die. I LOATHE her. She did NOTHING to help find Risa's mum's murderer, but she still threatened and bossed Risa around loads. They had an agreement but that cow Hunter wasn't holding her end up. I can't wait for Risa to kill her, I almost hate her as much as I did Lucian.
-I was really glad that Lucian got his comeuppance. It took a long time for Risa to finally figure out what a douche he was but she got there in the end. Their fight scene was one of the highlights for me. Lucian deserved everything he got — the slimy rapey bastard.
-I knew Risa would be pregnant in the end, I was relieved that Azriel seemed to be the dad. Risa dumping Azriel annoyed me though, she just jumped to conclusions and never gave him a chance to explain — instead of listening to him she just went on like a harpy. I hope he's not missing for too much of the next book.
-I was disappointed that nothing much happened in regard to the search for the keys to hell. Maybe that arc will just be crammed in the very last book.
All in all, it was pretty entertaining. I'm actually looking forward to the next book.
-Much more enjoyable than the previous installment (Darkness Hunts). I still had a lot of issues with it, but the development of certain story arcs, relationships and characters were enough to keep me engaged.
-I wasn't impressed with the inclusion of yet another "case of the week" type plot — it took up a good chunk of the book and added little to the series overall. The most it did was make me hate Madeline Hunter more, she was such a cow to Risa - Hunter's vampire lover was murdered, so she forced Risa to solve the crime by threatening her and generally acting like a psychotic cow.
-At least this time it actually made some sense when Hunter rather than relying solely on the Directorate made Risa (who's a chef) carry out the investigation as well… Since Hunter wanted to kill the murderer herself instead of leaving it to the Directorate.
It always annoyed me in earlier books when Hunter made Risa investigate random murders, Risa had no qualifications but for some reason Hunter expected her to go all CSI and Sherlock on murder scenes.
It was dumb, especially when Hunter had tons of experienced employees and resources to do all that crime rubbish. Why make Risa do it? Why waste Risa's time, when she also had to find the keys to hell for her? How can she have time to find the keys when she's doing shit other people are more than capable of doing?
It's obvious the "case of the week" type plots aren't going anywhere. But I'm getting sick of all the lame reasons for Risa being pulled in to solve them… She has zero crime experience and she's also busy with end of the world type things — so it makes no sense that Hunter would take Risa's focus away from finding the keys (which only she can do) just so she can help her with stuff someone else can do.
The author should have just made Risa a Directorate worker instead of a chef — at least that way the "case of the week" type plots would make sense instead of seeming contrived, filler and nonsensical.
-Risa's character was decent enough, she's not an average-do-goody-boring heroine, she thankfully has a tiny bit more attitude than the usual plank-like UF/PNR heroine.
One thing that did annoy me was Risa constantly defending Lucian when he'd more than once proven how untrustworthy he was. What bugged me even more was that whenever she defended him, she had nothing to support her argument other than she just didn't think he could or would do evil thing A, B or C. I would have been okay with her sticking up for him if she had some actual logic, evidence or reason behind why she believed he wouldn't do evil thing A, B or C other than "just because".
-Azriel was as great as ever. I liked that he wasn't as hot and cold as before, he was a little more open and cool about his feelings for Risa.
-Risa hardly ever got to sleep, eat or recharge properly… It was kind of exhausting and frustrating to read about. Why can't the author let her sleep or eat without getting disturbed all the time?
-I loved Risa's friendships with Tao and Ilianna - I like when heroines actually have friends and a support network (instead of being loners), it gives them more depth and complexity.
-Illiana was great, Tao was a bit of a whiner though.
-I was sick of how many time Risa "snorted softly".
-Risa's demonic sword, Amaya, was really funny — she was evul but in a cute way.
-Characters getting raped and then said characters getting over it straight away annoyed the hell out of me - Risa and Ilianna shrugged of their rape like it was nothing.
-Madeline needs to the die. I LOATHE her. She did NOTHING to help find Risa's mum's murderer, but she still threatened and bossed Risa around loads. They had an agreement but that cow Hunter wasn't holding her end up. I can't wait for Risa to kill her, I almost hate her as much as I did Lucian.
-I was really glad that Lucian got his comeuppance. It took a long time for Risa to finally figure out what a douche he was but she got there in the end. Their fight scene was one of the highlights for me. Lucian deserved everything he got — the slimy rapey bastard.
-I knew Risa would be pregnant in the end, I was relieved that Azriel seemed to be the dad. Risa dumping Azriel annoyed me though, she just jumped to conclusions and never gave him a chance to explain — instead of listening to him she just went on like a harpy. I hope he's not missing for too much of the next book.
-I was disappointed that nothing much happened in regard to the search for the keys to hell. Maybe that arc will just be crammed in the very last book.
All in all, it was pretty entertaining. I'm actually looking forward to the next book.
January 27, 2014
*** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
I can't believe it, but I guess I am in the minority on this one. This book disappointed me beyond all belief. I just kept telling myself that it couldn't get worse, but it did. I felt drained and empty after reading it. It has been days and I cannot shake the disappointment over this one.
I waited six months for this book to come out looking forward to it every day. I flew through the first four, reading them non-stop and deep into the night when I should have been resting before work the next day.
The first blow was when Keri Arthur chose to leave out the reunion of Risa and Azriel. Sure, we got to read about the reaper energy mixing but I couldn't relate to all that. She made such a big deal about this big decision they made about having sex and led us up to it all the way with a "will they, won't they" and then gave us a we had makeup sex "..." I wanted to punch my ereader in those dots. This was where I actually put the book down and had trouble returning to the story. It just seemed like if their reunion is so trivial it gets dots, why the hell should I care about this story?
The next blow was after leaving out Risa and Azriel's reunion, and skimming over anything between them, instead we get details about Lucian's rape of Risa- oh great thanks! Which of course was set into a course of events after Risa made a stupid decision. I had liked that Risa was stubborn but not doing too many stupid things in the past, but in this book instead of taking on trouble because she had to- she fell face first into trouble and then wondered what was taking Azriel so long to save her.
Then the ending was just too much- she ended up sleeping with her mother's killer, dying, and getting promptly saved and then banishes Azriel. These things would not have bothered me so much, but the combination of them was just too much. I mean Risa can believe that she is carrying Azriel's baby which is supposed to be impossible, but not that he might have feelings for her because that is definitely impossible? I felt like the whole thing was a jump the shark- like the author wanted to do something daring so she sacrificed the integrity of the character to do so. I get Risa is a flawed, a real character but all of these flaws made her too dense, and therefore less real.
Honestly, I don't want to read the rest of this series. My favorite part of these books was the banter and relationship between Risa and Azriel and if he is absent in most of the next book, what is the point? I'll probably just watch the forums to find out what happens in the next book for closure. Overall I thought the story was ok, the continuation of the search for the keys(the only reason I didn't give it one star- it pissed me off but I guess I can see why others liked it), but I thought that too was overshadowed by all of this drama. The story did not advance as much as it has in past books.
On a side note, I can't believe people actually wrote in their reviews that people who were annoyed that Risa and Azriel took so long to get together would be excited for this book- I don't think this is what they had in mind.
I can't believe it, but I guess I am in the minority on this one. This book disappointed me beyond all belief. I just kept telling myself that it couldn't get worse, but it did. I felt drained and empty after reading it. It has been days and I cannot shake the disappointment over this one.
I waited six months for this book to come out looking forward to it every day. I flew through the first four, reading them non-stop and deep into the night when I should have been resting before work the next day.
The first blow was when Keri Arthur chose to leave out the reunion of Risa and Azriel. Sure, we got to read about the reaper energy mixing but I couldn't relate to all that. She made such a big deal about this big decision they made about having sex and led us up to it all the way with a "will they, won't they" and then gave us a we had makeup sex "..." I wanted to punch my ereader in those dots. This was where I actually put the book down and had trouble returning to the story. It just seemed like if their reunion is so trivial it gets dots, why the hell should I care about this story?
The next blow was after leaving out Risa and Azriel's reunion, and skimming over anything between them, instead we get details about Lucian's rape of Risa- oh great thanks! Which of course was set into a course of events after Risa made a stupid decision. I had liked that Risa was stubborn but not doing too many stupid things in the past, but in this book instead of taking on trouble because she had to- she fell face first into trouble and then wondered what was taking Azriel so long to save her.
Then the ending was just too much- she ended up sleeping with her mother's killer, dying, and getting promptly saved and then banishes Azriel. These things would not have bothered me so much, but the combination of them was just too much. I mean Risa can believe that she is carrying Azriel's baby which is supposed to be impossible, but not that he might have feelings for her because that is definitely impossible? I felt like the whole thing was a jump the shark- like the author wanted to do something daring so she sacrificed the integrity of the character to do so. I get Risa is a flawed, a real character but all of these flaws made her too dense, and therefore less real.
Honestly, I don't want to read the rest of this series. My favorite part of these books was the banter and relationship between Risa and Azriel and if he is absent in most of the next book, what is the point? I'll probably just watch the forums to find out what happens in the next book for closure. Overall I thought the story was ok, the continuation of the search for the keys(the only reason I didn't give it one star- it pissed me off but I guess I can see why others liked it), but I thought that too was overshadowed by all of this drama. The story did not advance as much as it has in past books.
On a side note, I can't believe people actually wrote in their reviews that people who were annoyed that Risa and Azriel took so long to get together would be excited for this book- I don't think this is what they had in mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2015
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!
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!
May 21, 2021
3.5 stars
June 6, 2013
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
*** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
Keri Author’s talent as an author is undeniable but after the last two Dark Angels books I’ve kind of felt like she’s been stretching this series’ story arc past its breaking point in order to sell more installments. There’s nothing I hate more than feeling like I’m being taken advantage of as a reader. I seriously contemplated quitting these novels altogether but that’s always easier said than done. At least Darkness Unmasked sets the expectation on page 3 that this book is NOT going to be about Risa’s quest to find the keys. I’m glad that Arthur just came out and said that because it allowed me to enjoy the story as the author intended rather than agonize about what it should have been.
Several loose ends and unanswered questions that have been hounding me since Darkness Unbound finally get resolved. For the first time in several installments I actually feel like Arthur made some headway where this series’ main story arc is concerned which is odd considering the aforementioned declaration made on page 3. However, you won’t hear me complaining! I found it weird that after all of this time, Risa’s mother’s murder investigation resurfaces. It was what started Jones’ crazy adventure but I had just assumed that it was a means to an end, a way to rope Risa into working for Hunter. I never really expect the killer to be found. But lo and behold, Keri Arthur gives her heroine the justice she’s been craving AND finds a key in the process! Things are finally starting to come together in the Dark Angels series.
Lucian, the Aedh I love to hate is back for another round and he’s especially loathsome in this installment. I always knew that there was something off about him and now that his secret is out, his depravity knows no bounds. I thought that Arthur took things a little too far where he’s concerned and I wasn’t a fan of Risa and Ilianna’s reactions, or rather lack thereof. I have a pretty thick skin with regards to violence in fiction but I draw the line at rape. I can even understand its necessity to a story line in certain instances but the way that Arthur downplays it was unacceptable to me. It almost felt like she was condoning it at times and that just didn’t sit right with me. Luckily, these events happen towards the end of this book and were the only parts that I really disliked.
I loved Azriel in this installment, heck, I love him in every book but I especially loved him in this one. It’s taken him a long while to reach this point but he’s now bending Reaper rules left, right, and center for Risa. I’ve really enjoyed watching his character evolve from a cold, calculating soul collector into a more humanized version of himself. He makes the ultimate sacrifice in this book only to have it blow-up in his face and leave readers with one heck of a cliffhanger. November and Darkness Splintered have never felt so far away!
Thank you Keri Arthur for finally delivering the Dark Angels installment that I’ve been waiting for! There may be hope for Risa and her quest for the keys yet! Darkness Unmasked is jam packed with jaw dropping revelations, blistering action and enough eight-legged creepy crawlies to give you nightmares. You definitely won’t want to miss this one!
*** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
Keri Author’s talent as an author is undeniable but after the last two Dark Angels books I’ve kind of felt like she’s been stretching this series’ story arc past its breaking point in order to sell more installments. There’s nothing I hate more than feeling like I’m being taken advantage of as a reader. I seriously contemplated quitting these novels altogether but that’s always easier said than done. At least Darkness Unmasked sets the expectation on page 3 that this book is NOT going to be about Risa’s quest to find the keys. I’m glad that Arthur just came out and said that because it allowed me to enjoy the story as the author intended rather than agonize about what it should have been.
Several loose ends and unanswered questions that have been hounding me since Darkness Unbound finally get resolved. For the first time in several installments I actually feel like Arthur made some headway where this series’ main story arc is concerned which is odd considering the aforementioned declaration made on page 3. However, you won’t hear me complaining! I found it weird that after all of this time, Risa’s mother’s murder investigation resurfaces. It was what started Jones’ crazy adventure but I had just assumed that it was a means to an end, a way to rope Risa into working for Hunter. I never really expect the killer to be found. But lo and behold, Keri Arthur gives her heroine the justice she’s been craving AND finds a key in the process! Things are finally starting to come together in the Dark Angels series.
Lucian, the Aedh I love to hate is back for another round and he’s especially loathsome in this installment. I always knew that there was something off about him and now that his secret is out, his depravity knows no bounds. I thought that Arthur took things a little too far where he’s concerned and I wasn’t a fan of Risa and Ilianna’s reactions, or rather lack thereof. I have a pretty thick skin with regards to violence in fiction but I draw the line at rape. I can even understand its necessity to a story line in certain instances but the way that Arthur downplays it was unacceptable to me. It almost felt like she was condoning it at times and that just didn’t sit right with me. Luckily, these events happen towards the end of this book and were the only parts that I really disliked.
I loved Azriel in this installment, heck, I love him in every book but I especially loved him in this one. It’s taken him a long while to reach this point but he’s now bending Reaper rules left, right, and center for Risa. I’ve really enjoyed watching his character evolve from a cold, calculating soul collector into a more humanized version of himself. He makes the ultimate sacrifice in this book only to have it blow-up in his face and leave readers with one heck of a cliffhanger. November and Darkness Splintered have never felt so far away!
Thank you Keri Arthur for finally delivering the Dark Angels installment that I’ve been waiting for! There may be hope for Risa and her quest for the keys yet! Darkness Unmasked is jam packed with jaw dropping revelations, blistering action and enough eight-legged creepy crawlies to give you nightmares. You definitely won’t want to miss this one!
September 23, 2016
I am totally loving this series now! This book was just fantastic - probably the best so far in this series. Risa has really grown as a character and is a much stronger, better person for it, although she doesn't seem to like herself nor her life much. I understand why she dislikes her life - I would too with everything going on in it, but she does eventually realise that people need her and are willing to help her even if she doesn't really want them to.
As always with this series, the underlying plot of Risa and the keys to the gates of hell plays a fairly big part, but the initial story line gave me the creeps a bit, much like it did Risa. There is a demon spirit killing seemingly random people and basically sucking them dry and then leaving them dead all wrapped up in a spider's web. The creepy bit was all the millions of tiny baby spiders that were found in various places and at one point fell all over Risa. Spiders are just not my thing! This story line was really good though and Risa didn't have much choice in getting involved in it despite her fear of all things arachnid!
The keys side of the story developed a lot this time as well, although she didn't really make any progress in obtaining one. She did, however, find out a bit about who is behind stealing them and this person turned out to reveal a major secret as well, which ultimately left Risa with no choice but to do what she had wanted to do for a while (without giving too much away there). I'm glad she did what she did with that person at the end - they truly deserved it.
Her relationship with Azriel frustrates me slightly. I know they cannot really be together after the problem with the keys has been resolved and there is no future for them, but I so want there to be! I really don't believe that will happen now, but I have no idea what will happen to the two of them next. Not sure if Risa's decision about him was the right one, but she was right in that she has to stand on her own to feet in this fight for the keys and not depend on him so much.
I really love the fast paced-ness of this series - there is never a dull moment for any of our characters and I love Keri Arthur's writing style. So looking forward to reading the next one and hopefully we will see Risa finally getting to grips with her life a bit more, finding the keys, sorting out her relationship with Azriel and not letting everyone treat her like a piece of crap. She needs to be a bit stronger in that department, especially as the agreement she had with Madeline Hunter should no longer exist as Hunter didn't keep up her side of the bargain, but we all know what she's like and there's no way she's going to let Risa go without a fight.
As always with this series, the underlying plot of Risa and the keys to the gates of hell plays a fairly big part, but the initial story line gave me the creeps a bit, much like it did Risa. There is a demon spirit killing seemingly random people and basically sucking them dry and then leaving them dead all wrapped up in a spider's web. The creepy bit was all the millions of tiny baby spiders that were found in various places and at one point fell all over Risa. Spiders are just not my thing! This story line was really good though and Risa didn't have much choice in getting involved in it despite her fear of all things arachnid!
The keys side of the story developed a lot this time as well, although she didn't really make any progress in obtaining one. She did, however, find out a bit about who is behind stealing them and this person turned out to reveal a major secret as well, which ultimately left Risa with no choice but to do what she had wanted to do for a while (without giving too much away there). I'm glad she did what she did with that person at the end - they truly deserved it.
Her relationship with Azriel frustrates me slightly. I know they cannot really be together after the problem with the keys has been resolved and there is no future for them, but I so want there to be! I really don't believe that will happen now, but I have no idea what will happen to the two of them next. Not sure if Risa's decision about him was the right one, but she was right in that she has to stand on her own to feet in this fight for the keys and not depend on him so much.
I really love the fast paced-ness of this series - there is never a dull moment for any of our characters and I love Keri Arthur's writing style. So looking forward to reading the next one and hopefully we will see Risa finally getting to grips with her life a bit more, finding the keys, sorting out her relationship with Azriel and not letting everyone treat her like a piece of crap. She needs to be a bit stronger in that department, especially as the agreement she had with Madeline Hunter should no longer exist as Hunter didn't keep up her side of the bargain, but we all know what she's like and there's no way she's going to let Risa go without a fight.
November 29, 2025
This story begins right after Risa’s battle on the astral plane. Madeline Hunter, vampire leader, wants Risa to track down a mysterious killer…a killer that has taken one of Madeline’s friends as a victim. When Risa investigates, she discovers that it is some kind of spider demon, coating her victims in a web and leaving only a husk behind.
As more people die, the pressure is on for Risa to discover who or what is behind these killings…without failing prey to the spider demon type creature herself.
Meanwhile, Risa still must find the key. Unscrambling her father’s cryptic message is a daunting task, but when she finally discovers the possible hiding space her friend and roommate goes missing.
Huge revelations, revenge, tragic heart ache and non-stop action keep you glued to the pages of Darkness Unmasked. What an incredible addition to this wonderfully crafted series! 4.5 Stars
As more people die, the pressure is on for Risa to discover who or what is behind these killings…without failing prey to the spider demon type creature herself.
Meanwhile, Risa still must find the key. Unscrambling her father’s cryptic message is a daunting task, but when she finally discovers the possible hiding space her friend and roommate goes missing.
Huge revelations, revenge, tragic heart ache and non-stop action keep you glued to the pages of Darkness Unmasked. What an incredible addition to this wonderfully crafted series! 4.5 Stars
June 19, 2013
4.25-4.50 stars
If it wasn't for the creepy as all fu@k spiders(shudders), Risa's ridiculous and perpetual inability to see what is right in front of her, and Azriel's unique and deliberate obtuseness about almost everything, this would have been an easy 5 stars. However, it still effortlessly goes on my favorites shelf because I immensely enjoyed it, and I know without a doubt what Azriel was saying, or at least trying to say, at the end to be naked truth, and will come to fruition in the end.
If it wasn't for the creepy as all fu@k spiders(shudders), Risa's ridiculous and perpetual inability to see what is right in front of her, and Azriel's unique and deliberate obtuseness about almost everything, this would have been an easy 5 stars. However, it still effortlessly goes on my favorites shelf because I immensely enjoyed it, and I know without a doubt what Azriel was saying, or at least trying to say, at the end to be naked truth, and will come to fruition in the end.
February 2, 2014
Lucian -
This book -
Risa -
The ending...
This book -
Risa -
The ending...
June 12, 2013
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Before I start this review, I want to get some things across:
1. I love Keri Arthur. I really do. As one of the only Australian UF writers, she goes out of the norm characteristics of a UF heroine and creates a truly kick-ass, strong-headed and independent one!
2. This book was good. It was a good addition. The reason for this rating was because it fell short of my expectations and there were some things that I didn't like. But having said that, other readers might be okay with it. So if you are a Keri Arthur reader, go read this book!
Okay, the world-building was good and strong. The characters were consistent and well done..
What I didn't like was:
1.
2. I didn't like how we got bombarded with so much UF world building stuff. There was just new things explained on new things. I honestly can't say I really understood half of what was explained in this book. Not only that, but the constant action was tiring. Risa did like 20 things in one day, and just reading it was exhausting.
3. I didn't like how all the conversations seem to be slightly combative. Like no matter what the topic was, Risa had to oppose or was opposed by Azriel, or whomever she was talking to.
4.
5. I didn't like how Hunter made Risa her own personal lap dog. I wish Risa would do something about it. Get help from others. I know she isn't like Riley Jensen, her aunt, and probably can't go face to face with someone so powerful, but she has powerful friends.
These issues weren't just arising from this book, but they are evident throughout the series.
But other than that, it was a good book. Will look forward to the release of the next one.
Before I start this review, I want to get some things across:
1. I love Keri Arthur. I really do. As one of the only Australian UF writers, she goes out of the norm characteristics of a UF heroine and creates a truly kick-ass, strong-headed and independent one!
2. This book was good. It was a good addition. The reason for this rating was because it fell short of my expectations and there were some things that I didn't like. But having said that, other readers might be okay with it. So if you are a Keri Arthur reader, go read this book!
Okay, the world-building was good and strong. The characters were consistent and well done..
What I didn't like was:
1.
2. I didn't like how we got bombarded with so much UF world building stuff. There was just new things explained on new things. I honestly can't say I really understood half of what was explained in this book. Not only that, but the constant action was tiring. Risa did like 20 things in one day, and just reading it was exhausting.
3. I didn't like how all the conversations seem to be slightly combative. Like no matter what the topic was, Risa had to oppose or was opposed by Azriel, or whomever she was talking to.
4.
5. I didn't like how Hunter made Risa her own personal lap dog. I wish Risa would do something about it. Get help from others. I know she isn't like Riley Jensen, her aunt, and probably can't go face to face with someone so powerful, but she has powerful friends.
These issues weren't just arising from this book, but they are evident throughout the series.
But other than that, it was a good book. Will look forward to the release of the next one.
July 24, 2013
I'm fairly tolerant of the fact that it's taken 5 books to find 1 and 1/2 keys to have them swiped out from under Risa. The secondary plot with Hunter was fine and I enjoyed it. If we're not going to be key hunting at least there's something for Risa to be doing other than sitting around waiting for more key information.
Her relationships in this book are what drop the rating from 3 to 2 stars for me.
Her relationships in this book are what drop the rating from 3 to 2 stars for me.
June 12, 2013
4.25
Wow sooo much happens in this one! The last half of the book I was unable to put it down. The first half of the book has Risa investigating some murders for Hunter. Turns out she's after a spider shifter and let me tell you Ms. Arthur nailed that! So creepy and totally unique without being cheesy. The last half of the book we're back to the hunt for the keys. By far this has been my favorite in the series and I'm so glad it's been picked up for more books!
Wow sooo much happens in this one! The last half of the book I was unable to put it down. The first half of the book has Risa investigating some murders for Hunter. Turns out she's after a spider shifter and let me tell you Ms. Arthur nailed that! So creepy and totally unique without being cheesy. The last half of the book we're back to the hunt for the keys. By far this has been my favorite in the series and I'm so glad it's been picked up for more books!
June 12, 2013
Ok sometimes I just want to punch Risa. These books are good but they suffer from stupid character syndrome. A lot of the action is instigated by Risa being stupid. Actually, this book has left me angry and frustrated with her. Add that to the entire lack of good sex between her and Azriel and this is the worst book on the series so far.
At least we only have to wait 6 months for the next installment.
At least we only have to wait 6 months for the next installment.
June 29, 2013
OMG I could not put this book down! Fantastically written I can't wait to find out how this series will end.
July 11, 2013
This book was fabulous. It closed up a few things from the previous books! I had a hard time putting it down!
August 1, 2020
Fifth in the Dark Angels urban fantasy melodrama series and revolving around Risa Jones, drama queen.
My Take
The usual melodrama and whining about she wants him, she can't have him, as she constantly pushes at him for more, Gimme, gimme, gimme. All this horrible stuff keeps happening. Oh, woe is me… *MAJOR eye roll*
*Arm across the brow* It's all her fault.
Risa finally learns the truth of her mother's murder, sees the truly dark side of Hunter and Lucian, and well, her entire world simply falls apart. Mostly because she's such an impetuous, histrionic idiot, who isn't capable of stopping to think or consider the ramifications of anything.
Jesus, for all the excess of melodrama, which I think Arthur has intended as forcing the pace so we're caught up in all the action, she misses the boat of emotion. Especially in the sex scene between Lucian and Risa. There is such an opportunity for emotional upheaval, and we simply get the mechanics of it. It was more of a yeah, yeah, let me get this read so I can get on to the next bit.
On the plus side, we do make progress in the story. Some is positive — positively lethal anyway — and some is negative.
Blah, blah, blah…
The Story
Just a typical day in Risa Jones' life, a wake-up call from that bitch Madeline Hunter sending her out with a task. Only this case involves Hunter emotionally and it ramps up the threat-level from the leader of the Directorate of Other Races.
It cannot distract, however, from her main task: finding that second key lest more Gates of Hell be opened.
The Characters
The waffly Risa Jones is a wolf shifter and an orphan since her mother's murder, who carries the bloodthirsty sword, Amaya. We do learn she's terrified of spiders, and she has great roommates and business partners: Tao is another wolf shifter, who has been affected by a fire elemental, and Ilianna is a gay horse shifter, who's in love with Mirri. Carwyn is a stallion Ilianna's parents want her to hook up with; she hasn't come out to them yet. RYT is the name of the café that Risa, Ilianna, and Tao own.
Azriel is a Mijai, a reaper, assigned to follow Risa and aid her in finding, and then taking, the keys to prevent the Gates of Hell from being opened. His true name is Rephael. Valdis is his sword.
Madeline Hunter is a vampire in charge of the Directorate of Other Races as well as a leading member of the vampire council. It doesn't do to anger her. At all. And Risa was stupid enough to make that deal with her. Cazadors are the high council's elite killing force. Markel Sanchez is one of the Cazador vampires assigned to spy on Risa, one of their most dangerous. And it seems he enjoys his assignment. Nick Krogan and Janice Myer are others. Jack is Hunter's brother and in charge of the Guardian Division. Wolfgang Schmidt was a vampire and Hunter's lover.
Uncle Rhoan is a gay werewolf who works for the Guardian Division. His sister, Aunt Riley, another werewolf, is married to Quinn, a half-Aedh, half-vampire, and a former Cazador (their story is in the Riley Jenson, Guardian series, a MUCH better written series).
Stane is a computer geek friend of Risa's and Tao's cousin who can find anything and is being forced on a date. To be accompanied by both mothers, lol. Jak Talbott is a reporter who betrayed Risa, but he's angling to get back in her bed. Danny, Rachel, Jacques, and Frank are employees at RYT. Maggie is the lady at the desk of the storage space.
Lucian Dupont is Risa's former, and wingless, Aedh lover who put a spell on her to encourage her to sleep with him. Lauren McIntyre, a black sorcerer, is his current lover and partner. John Nadler is a faceshifter and possibly a sorcerer, but certainly the man behind the consortium trying to buy up land over a ley line intersection. Supposedly he's died. But Risa thinks he may be Genevieve Sands, one of the heirs listed in his will. The Jorōgumo are spider demons who entrap and lull their prey with lutes. Dark Soul is one of the music clubs while Hallowed Ground is another where Risa meets a rival of Hunter's: Harry Stanford, who makes Risa an offer. Classique Entertainers is a booking agency and James Parred is one of their agents. Jodie Summer and Di Shard are two of their performers.
The Brindle is the witch depository in Melbourne. Custodian Zaira is a witch horseshifter and Ilianna's mother. Kiandra is the leader of the Brindle and a very powerful witch with a terrifying message for Risa!
Aedh are energy beings who live on the gray fields while the Raziq are rogue Aedh priests who had created the keys and then lost them. Her father, Hieu, was one of them until he went renegade and arranged for the keys to be stolen. Now he requires that Risa find them. Or watch her friends die. Malin is in charge of the Raziq, and Hieu's former lover, who hates Risa for being the child of her father. She has altered Risa by inserting a device into her heart which notifies the Raziq when her father is around her. Razan are humans changed by the Raziq. Henry Mack, just one of his aliases, is also Mark Jackson, and a Razan.
Reapers, soul guides, are beings of energy who live on the gray fields, an area that divided earth from heaven and hell, a.k.a., the light and the dark portals. A Dušan looks like a tattoo, but is a protective shield on the gray fields. The Mijai are dark angels who hunt and kill the things that break free from hell. A Caomh is a life mate for a Reaper, someone who is in perfect harmony with his or her partner energy-wise.
The Cover
The cover seems a rainbow of green to orange of smoke to spiderwebs to a grate in the wall with a very cocky Risa off-center, her wings unfurled and sword in hand.
The title is all about Lucian, for his Darkness Unmasked. Both shocking and so very not.
My Take
The usual melodrama and whining about she wants him, she can't have him, as she constantly pushes at him for more, Gimme, gimme, gimme. All this horrible stuff keeps happening. Oh, woe is me… *MAJOR eye roll*
*Arm across the brow* It's all her fault.
Risa finally learns the truth of her mother's murder, sees the truly dark side of Hunter and Lucian, and well, her entire world simply falls apart. Mostly because she's such an impetuous, histrionic idiot, who isn't capable of stopping to think or consider the ramifications of anything.
Jesus, for all the excess of melodrama, which I think Arthur has intended as forcing the pace so we're caught up in all the action, she misses the boat of emotion. Especially in the sex scene between Lucian and Risa. There is such an opportunity for emotional upheaval, and we simply get the mechanics of it. It was more of a yeah, yeah, let me get this read so I can get on to the next bit.
On the plus side, we do make progress in the story. Some is positive — positively lethal anyway — and some is negative.
Blah, blah, blah…
The Story
Just a typical day in Risa Jones' life, a wake-up call from that bitch Madeline Hunter sending her out with a task. Only this case involves Hunter emotionally and it ramps up the threat-level from the leader of the Directorate of Other Races.
It cannot distract, however, from her main task: finding that second key lest more Gates of Hell be opened.
The Characters
The waffly Risa Jones is a wolf shifter and an orphan since her mother's murder, who carries the bloodthirsty sword, Amaya. We do learn she's terrified of spiders, and she has great roommates and business partners: Tao is another wolf shifter, who has been affected by a fire elemental, and Ilianna is a gay horse shifter, who's in love with Mirri. Carwyn is a stallion Ilianna's parents want her to hook up with; she hasn't come out to them yet. RYT is the name of the café that Risa, Ilianna, and Tao own.
Azriel is a Mijai, a reaper, assigned to follow Risa and aid her in finding, and then taking, the keys to prevent the Gates of Hell from being opened. His true name is Rephael. Valdis is his sword.
Madeline Hunter is a vampire in charge of the Directorate of Other Races as well as a leading member of the vampire council. It doesn't do to anger her. At all. And Risa was stupid enough to make that deal with her. Cazadors are the high council's elite killing force. Markel Sanchez is one of the Cazador vampires assigned to spy on Risa, one of their most dangerous. And it seems he enjoys his assignment. Nick Krogan and Janice Myer are others. Jack is Hunter's brother and in charge of the Guardian Division. Wolfgang Schmidt was a vampire and Hunter's lover.
Uncle Rhoan is a gay werewolf who works for the Guardian Division. His sister, Aunt Riley, another werewolf, is married to Quinn, a half-Aedh, half-vampire, and a former Cazador (their story is in the Riley Jenson, Guardian series, a MUCH better written series).
Stane is a computer geek friend of Risa's and Tao's cousin who can find anything and is being forced on a date. To be accompanied by both mothers, lol. Jak Talbott is a reporter who betrayed Risa, but he's angling to get back in her bed. Danny, Rachel, Jacques, and Frank are employees at RYT. Maggie is the lady at the desk of the storage space.
Lucian Dupont is Risa's former, and wingless, Aedh lover who put a spell on her to encourage her to sleep with him. Lauren McIntyre, a black sorcerer, is his current lover and partner. John Nadler is a faceshifter and possibly a sorcerer, but certainly the man behind the consortium trying to buy up land over a ley line intersection. Supposedly he's died. But Risa thinks he may be Genevieve Sands, one of the heirs listed in his will. The Jorōgumo are spider demons who entrap and lull their prey with lutes. Dark Soul is one of the music clubs while Hallowed Ground is another where Risa meets a rival of Hunter's: Harry Stanford, who makes Risa an offer. Classique Entertainers is a booking agency and James Parred is one of their agents. Jodie Summer and Di Shard are two of their performers.
The Brindle is the witch depository in Melbourne. Custodian Zaira is a witch horseshifter and Ilianna's mother. Kiandra is the leader of the Brindle and a very powerful witch with a terrifying message for Risa!
Aedh are energy beings who live on the gray fields while the Raziq are rogue Aedh priests who had created the keys and then lost them. Her father, Hieu, was one of them until he went renegade and arranged for the keys to be stolen. Now he requires that Risa find them. Or watch her friends die. Malin is in charge of the Raziq, and Hieu's former lover, who hates Risa for being the child of her father. She has altered Risa by inserting a device into her heart which notifies the Raziq when her father is around her. Razan are humans changed by the Raziq. Henry Mack, just one of his aliases, is also Mark Jackson, and a Razan.
Reapers, soul guides, are beings of energy who live on the gray fields, an area that divided earth from heaven and hell, a.k.a., the light and the dark portals. A Dušan looks like a tattoo, but is a protective shield on the gray fields. The Mijai are dark angels who hunt and kill the things that break free from hell. A Caomh is a life mate for a Reaper, someone who is in perfect harmony with his or her partner energy-wise.
The Cover
The cover seems a rainbow of green to orange of smoke to spiderwebs to a grate in the wall with a very cocky Risa off-center, her wings unfurled and sword in hand.
The title is all about Lucian, for his Darkness Unmasked. Both shocking and so very not.
December 27, 2019
Heartbreaking, exciting and damn hard to put down.
May 25, 2013
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*ARC received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Keri Arthur has woven another compelling web of action, intrigue, mystery and suspense with Darkness Unmasked!
Being a chronic reader, it is my personal opinion that one of the highest compliments a book can receive is when it doesn't matter what you should be doing, you'd rather be reading. And an even greater testament to the utter captivating nature of the tale when that statement is turned to action, wherein everything in 'real life' is pushed aside for the opportunity to be totally immersed in the magic of the story. This series has done that to me 5 times over now - the outside world simply disappears when I have a DARK ANGELS book in hand, and I don't move until that last incredible page is turned...
This release is slightly darker and grittier than the previous installments. There's just as much action, but the violence is more intense, the villainy more sinister, and the emotions more raw. The romance is slightly different as well. It was simply written, leaving much to the imagination.
With the journey this series has taken it is almost impossible to write a plot driven review without spoilers, and because I don't do that, I will simply tell you that while a lot of series start to lag at the 5 book mark, somehow I feel like this thrill-ride is just getting started. There was a quote that about sums things up: Risa is at the climax of the story and is told, "Be careful, Risa Jones, there are more games being played than you realize." :). I'll also say that the twists that were introduced in this part of the story arc were diabolical in their brilliance & served to just further the emotional bond that Keri has been able to forge between her characters and the reader, as well as the characters themselves. No other books elicit the type of emotional response that these do for me; I always feel like I'm right there with them, and every single book has become a new favorite, leaving me emotionally spent and yet only wanting more.
Darkness Unmasked easily scored another 5 Skull rating from me. I highly recommend it, and the entire DARK ANGELS series - to everyone. These books have everything you want in a perfectly written Urban Fantasy - strong and well developed characters, superb world building, suspense and mystery with plenty of surprises, heart pumping action and intrigue, and just enough romance and witty dialogue to smooth out the edges.
*ARC received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Keri Arthur has woven another compelling web of action, intrigue, mystery and suspense with Darkness Unmasked!
Being a chronic reader, it is my personal opinion that one of the highest compliments a book can receive is when it doesn't matter what you should be doing, you'd rather be reading. And an even greater testament to the utter captivating nature of the tale when that statement is turned to action, wherein everything in 'real life' is pushed aside for the opportunity to be totally immersed in the magic of the story. This series has done that to me 5 times over now - the outside world simply disappears when I have a DARK ANGELS book in hand, and I don't move until that last incredible page is turned...
This release is slightly darker and grittier than the previous installments. There's just as much action, but the violence is more intense, the villainy more sinister, and the emotions more raw. The romance is slightly different as well. It was simply written, leaving much to the imagination.
With the journey this series has taken it is almost impossible to write a plot driven review without spoilers, and because I don't do that, I will simply tell you that while a lot of series start to lag at the 5 book mark, somehow I feel like this thrill-ride is just getting started. There was a quote that about sums things up: Risa is at the climax of the story and is told, "Be careful, Risa Jones, there are more games being played than you realize." :). I'll also say that the twists that were introduced in this part of the story arc were diabolical in their brilliance & served to just further the emotional bond that Keri has been able to forge between her characters and the reader, as well as the characters themselves. No other books elicit the type of emotional response that these do for me; I always feel like I'm right there with them, and every single book has become a new favorite, leaving me emotionally spent and yet only wanting more.
Darkness Unmasked easily scored another 5 Skull rating from me. I highly recommend it, and the entire DARK ANGELS series - to everyone. These books have everything you want in a perfectly written Urban Fantasy - strong and well developed characters, superb world building, suspense and mystery with plenty of surprises, heart pumping action and intrigue, and just enough romance and witty dialogue to smooth out the edges.
February 8, 2019
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79 points/100 (4 stars/5) [revised from 5 stars].
Warning: Cliffhanger (Status: I'm calling this a cliffhanger because I remember how I felt when I was reading these as they came out!)
Risa Jones is being threatened. Everyone wants the keys to Heaven and Hell, no matter the costs. They're all determined they're going to be the ones to get them, and they're going to use Risa to do it. There is also a creature going around killing people, including Madeline Hunter's lover, and wrapping them in a web-like substance. Hunter doesn't care, she wants both the keys and to avenge her close friend. Or else.
This has been the book least on topic so far. The entire damn book was either about personal stuff or the Jorõgomo creature. I don't mind the personal stuff. The series is just as much about the people as it is about the story. Also, I really like the people in this series. I love Azriel, and Risa is good, too. I'm invested in them much more than I am the story.
It is the Jorõgomo stuff I just don't care about. It is standard fare for what has been established in this series. Hunter is breathing down Risa's neck as she tries to make her perform miracles for Hunter's bidding. There is just so many threats. Unbelievably, the Jorõgomo lore is incredibly interesting. I wanted to know more about it. This just isn't the story for it. The end of the world is actually nigh, and yet we're playing around doing other things. I just don't get it.
The part of the book that actually pertains to the overall series, the part where we have to actually kind of totally save the world? Takes 10 percent of the end of the book, and isn't even close to having a solution by the end. It is a token effort, at best. If this series was shorter and focused, god it could have been so much better. Despite having seven books for the entire story, it feels rushed and unaccomplished. We have two books left in this series, I shouldn't feel like I'm still at the beginning of this journey.
On the personal front, Risa is still spiraling down, healthwise. Lucian is an even bigger jackass than we knew. Azriel and Risa are amazing together and I never want them to be apart. They work so well together. They support each other. Other than Azriel's jealousy, they've worked through all their issues together. I'm just so happy with them.
I really hope with only two books to go, we get to the point. 🤞
79 points/100 (4 stars/5) [revised from 5 stars].
Warning: Cliffhanger (Status: I'm calling this a cliffhanger because I remember how I felt when I was reading these as they came out!)
Risa Jones is being threatened. Everyone wants the keys to Heaven and Hell, no matter the costs. They're all determined they're going to be the ones to get them, and they're going to use Risa to do it. There is also a creature going around killing people, including Madeline Hunter's lover, and wrapping them in a web-like substance. Hunter doesn't care, she wants both the keys and to avenge her close friend. Or else.
This has been the book least on topic so far. The entire damn book was either about personal stuff or the Jorõgomo creature. I don't mind the personal stuff. The series is just as much about the people as it is about the story. Also, I really like the people in this series. I love Azriel, and Risa is good, too. I'm invested in them much more than I am the story.
It is the Jorõgomo stuff I just don't care about. It is standard fare for what has been established in this series. Hunter is breathing down Risa's neck as she tries to make her perform miracles for Hunter's bidding. There is just so many threats. Unbelievably, the Jorõgomo lore is incredibly interesting. I wanted to know more about it. This just isn't the story for it. The end of the world is actually nigh, and yet we're playing around doing other things. I just don't get it.
The part of the book that actually pertains to the overall series, the part where we have to actually kind of totally save the world? Takes 10 percent of the end of the book, and isn't even close to having a solution by the end. It is a token effort, at best. If this series was shorter and focused, god it could have been so much better. Despite having seven books for the entire story, it feels rushed and unaccomplished. We have two books left in this series, I shouldn't feel like I'm still at the beginning of this journey.
On the personal front, Risa is still spiraling down, healthwise. Lucian is an even bigger jackass than we knew. Azriel and Risa are amazing together and I never want them to be apart. They work so well together. They support each other. Other than Azriel's jealousy, they've worked through all their issues together. I'm just so happy with them.
I really hope with only two books to go, we get to the point. 🤞
June 9, 2013
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Keri Arthur’s DARKNESS UNMASKED, the fifth book in the Dark Angels series, is a well written, thrilling urban fantasy, likely to be enjoyed most by readers already familiar with the series. A little confusing to those just jumping in, it was still a fun read, with sleuthing, sexy moments and lots of spiders!
I first want to caution those of you who may be arachnophobes- this book is not for you. The main villain of the book is a spider spirit, who happens to be a giant spider lying hundreds of tiny spider babies all over. I got the willies, and I’m not even particularly scared of spiders. It was very creative though, not like anything I’d ever heard before. Doesn’t make it any less creepy, but it’s always fun to encounter something new. In fact, DARKNESS UNMASKED never felt cliched or overdone. The world was original, and I wish we had seen a bit more of the werewolves and witches mentioned in the book description.
DARKNESS UNMASKED basically had two story arcs. I would liken it to a TV show in that there is the “mini mystery” within the episode, and then there is the bigger plot arc that encompasses the entire series. Since I was not familiar with the greater storyline of the Dark Angels series, it didn’t make a ton of sense to me. For example, I kept getting the Razan and Raziq confused and I’m not entirely sure what either of them is to begin with, actually. This made it a bit hard to be really invested in the last quarter of the book, since once the spider spirit mystery was over, the book finished up with an event that was more relevant to the greater plot line of the series. It started getting hard to keep characters and all the details straight since I’m not familiar with the back story, but up until that point, it was a pretty good stand alone book.
Not being a fan of the series already, this wasn’t the best read for me. However, I can see how those already acquainted with Risa would get really into it, and I enjoyed the glimpses I got at the other characters and into the world of the Dark Angels series. I’m curious enough that I would consider going back and starting the series with DARKNESS UNBOUND since DARKNESS UNMASKED was done so well.
Sexual Content: Rape, references to sex
Keri Arthur’s DARKNESS UNMASKED, the fifth book in the Dark Angels series, is a well written, thrilling urban fantasy, likely to be enjoyed most by readers already familiar with the series. A little confusing to those just jumping in, it was still a fun read, with sleuthing, sexy moments and lots of spiders!
I first want to caution those of you who may be arachnophobes- this book is not for you. The main villain of the book is a spider spirit, who happens to be a giant spider lying hundreds of tiny spider babies all over. I got the willies, and I’m not even particularly scared of spiders. It was very creative though, not like anything I’d ever heard before. Doesn’t make it any less creepy, but it’s always fun to encounter something new. In fact, DARKNESS UNMASKED never felt cliched or overdone. The world was original, and I wish we had seen a bit more of the werewolves and witches mentioned in the book description.
DARKNESS UNMASKED basically had two story arcs. I would liken it to a TV show in that there is the “mini mystery” within the episode, and then there is the bigger plot arc that encompasses the entire series. Since I was not familiar with the greater storyline of the Dark Angels series, it didn’t make a ton of sense to me. For example, I kept getting the Razan and Raziq confused and I’m not entirely sure what either of them is to begin with, actually. This made it a bit hard to be really invested in the last quarter of the book, since once the spider spirit mystery was over, the book finished up with an event that was more relevant to the greater plot line of the series. It started getting hard to keep characters and all the details straight since I’m not familiar with the back story, but up until that point, it was a pretty good stand alone book.
Not being a fan of the series already, this wasn’t the best read for me. However, I can see how those already acquainted with Risa would get really into it, and I enjoyed the glimpses I got at the other characters and into the world of the Dark Angels series. I’m curious enough that I would consider going back and starting the series with DARKNESS UNBOUND since DARKNESS UNMASKED was done so well.
Sexual Content: Rape, references to sex
June 14, 2013
Yay! All caught up now!! Keri Arthur's Darkness Unmasked is probably the most exciting in the series so far! I am sure the next one will top it though! This one was so action packed and emotionally driven that it makes for a wild read!
When Risa is told by Hunter to find the person who killed her lover, Wolfgang Schmidt, Risa knows she better get on it asap or risk her wrath. Her quest for the remaining keys will once again have to be placed on hold, although she does make attempts at doing both tasks, it seems that finding this spider lady takes more precedence. And spiders? Eww! Not a fan of them and there were more than a few scenes where I was cringing right with Risa who shares my non-love for the eight-legged creatures.
I find the last bits of this book description a tad misleading, Lucian does return to the scene. And more than ever his true colors begin to shine. Hard to think that I ever liked him, you know, vaguely. Can't recall my feelings towards him after we first met him, but I was getting negative feelings towards him last go around...unless it was the one before that...
But yeah, his true colors start to shine, but he doesn't take the second key and run off with it. Quite the opposite, he wants Risa's help in getting it. I won't get into further details than that, but yeah. I was a little surprised when things didn't happen exactly that way.
Quite a lot happens, happily, Risa and Azriel's relationship gets a little better. There's rarely anymore song and dance between them. Azriel is just starting to warm up to the idea of a relationship of some kind. Which of course in Urban Fantasy means the shit's about to hit the fan and some wedge will come between them.
The ending was freaking awesome! Lots of good fight scenes and more jaw-dropping revelations. Such as, Risa discovering who killed her mother. Oh yes, it does happen now! I wasn't expecting it so soon, but then again this is book 5.
Keri Arthur is one of the greatest Urban Fantasy authors of all time! To me, she was one of my first Urban Fantasy authors when I started reading them in the "adult" books, so she feels like one of the founding authors of the genre. At least in my world! Her books are always action packed and filled with so many twists and turns, her craft definitely fits the definition of Urban Fantasy!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
When Risa is told by Hunter to find the person who killed her lover, Wolfgang Schmidt, Risa knows she better get on it asap or risk her wrath. Her quest for the remaining keys will once again have to be placed on hold, although she does make attempts at doing both tasks, it seems that finding this spider lady takes more precedence. And spiders? Eww! Not a fan of them and there were more than a few scenes where I was cringing right with Risa who shares my non-love for the eight-legged creatures.
I find the last bits of this book description a tad misleading, Lucian does return to the scene. And more than ever his true colors begin to shine. Hard to think that I ever liked him, you know, vaguely. Can't recall my feelings towards him after we first met him, but I was getting negative feelings towards him last go around...unless it was the one before that...
But yeah, his true colors start to shine, but he doesn't take the second key and run off with it. Quite the opposite, he wants Risa's help in getting it. I won't get into further details than that, but yeah. I was a little surprised when things didn't happen exactly that way.
Quite a lot happens, happily, Risa and Azriel's relationship gets a little better. There's rarely anymore song and dance between them. Azriel is just starting to warm up to the idea of a relationship of some kind. Which of course in Urban Fantasy means the shit's about to hit the fan and some wedge will come between them.
The ending was freaking awesome! Lots of good fight scenes and more jaw-dropping revelations. Such as, Risa discovering who killed her mother. Oh yes, it does happen now! I wasn't expecting it so soon, but then again this is book 5.
Keri Arthur is one of the greatest Urban Fantasy authors of all time! To me, she was one of my first Urban Fantasy authors when I started reading them in the "adult" books, so she feels like one of the founding authors of the genre. At least in my world! Her books are always action packed and filled with so many twists and turns, her craft definitely fits the definition of Urban Fantasy!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
July 14, 2013
I hate to say that I was disappointed in this book...but I was. I was really looking forward to seeing where Risa & Azriel's relationship was going, and how they would deal with their decision to try to be together. Azriel made such a statement at the end of the last book about his feelings for her, but we never truly got to see her deal with that. What we actually see is more of the same "it's never about me" "it's only about the keys" blah blah blah. It doesn't seem like the two track together. I even went back and reread the end of the last book to make sure I was remembering correctly. As far as seeing them develop their relationship, we don't get to see any of it! I do love to see their bantering, even when it's silent. I love the way Valdis always gives away his true emotions. It seems like they rely on each other less in this book, because she seems to be trying to show that she can take care of herself when he leaves. So I get this is a coping mechanism for her, but it just left a lot to be desired.
I completely believe that the ending was exactly how she would react. I thought it was very true to the character of Risa, but dammit I hated it!! I'm glad that I only have to wait 4 months to find out what happens next for them. One of the other difficult things was going back into straight UF after reading 10 PR books where each book the main story gets their HEA. It's been awhile since I've read a series where it takes the entire length of the series for that to happen.
I also agree with other readers about the rape scenes...that's what they were. I was really uncomfortable with her being described as being vaguely upset about it. She had to literally LEAVE her body to survive what was being done to her, and she is just fine afterward. I don't think so. The same goes for her best friend...her BEST FRIEND. kidnapped and raped by the same man...and they are just fine. I don't know about that.
The good: Amaya...god I love that sword! Risa's love for her friends. Riley and Rhoan. Lucian finally getting his! As much as I was disappointed, I will hope the next is better because I do really enjoy this author. I hit a spot in the Riley series where I almost gave up as well, so I will stick with it!
I completely believe that the ending was exactly how she would react. I thought it was very true to the character of Risa, but dammit I hated it!! I'm glad that I only have to wait 4 months to find out what happens next for them. One of the other difficult things was going back into straight UF after reading 10 PR books where each book the main story gets their HEA. It's been awhile since I've read a series where it takes the entire length of the series for that to happen.
I also agree with other readers about the rape scenes...that's what they were. I was really uncomfortable with her being described as being vaguely upset about it. She had to literally LEAVE her body to survive what was being done to her, and she is just fine afterward. I don't think so. The same goes for her best friend...her BEST FRIEND. kidnapped and raped by the same man...and they are just fine. I don't know about that.
The good: Amaya...god I love that sword! Risa's love for her friends. Riley and Rhoan. Lucian finally getting his! As much as I was disappointed, I will hope the next is better because I do really enjoy this author. I hit a spot in the Riley series where I almost gave up as well, so I will stick with it!
November 1, 2013
DARKNESS UNMASKED, the fifth book in the Dark Angels series, hits hard with the force of a Mack truck. Keri Arthur spares no emotions in this novel. There is a ton to keep readers happy and looking for more in this instalment.
Major changes happen to Risa that are startling and totally blindsided me. I didn’t think Arthur would go through this route, but she did and wow, I was very surprised by the turn of events. After this, there is no way you can say Arthur is afraid of taking chances. As the tension between Risa and her lover Azriel bursts into flames, other major developments in terms of allocating the keys happen as well.
I don’t think I was quite ready for the level of suspense in this novel. Arthur always has great action scenes but I really felt that the pacing and the suspense was taken up a notch, making this novel feel larger than life. If you’re new to this series, I highly recommend reading the books in order. While Arthur does take the time to recap past events, it’s always nice to experience them yourselves.
One of the things I love about this series and this book in particular is the fact that Risa, the heroine makes mistakes and has her vulnerabilities. As a UF heroine, she is tough and kicks some major ass, but this novel really showcased her feelings in a way that made her admirable. Suddenly, things are so out of hand that Risa must look into herself to determine the next course of action. For me, that’s more interesting than someone who doesn’t react at all to life-altering events.
Make no mistake, Keri Arthur has still got it! Thrilling action scenes, unsuspecting twists and a myriad of emotions make this novel one you have to read!
July 23, 2013
I have been champing at the bit to get my hands on this book. Having been thoroughly engrossed in Arthur's Reily Jenson series, only to have that end, and then BAM, get hit with this awesome series... I had extraordinarily high hopes!
Now let me say, Arthur is one of my most favourite authors of all time, each and every one of her books, I pick up and then don't put down again. Thats it. I'm gone. I disappear into her world, and resurface in tears once the book is over.
With Darkness Unmasked however I found that I could put it down, I could look away. Now don't get me wrong, this book is still awesome. The plot line is engaging, the characters are well developed and you really fall into their world! I loved every moment of it, particularly as it came towards the end of the book and we fell back into the more familiar territory with the warring romance.
I just felt that as a whole, it didn't have as much of a pull as the previous novels in the series?
That may be because (and I don't want to give away anything) - it has one seriously gross demon in it that had me cringing to my very core every time she was described, it may be because I have been waiting for this book for so long that I built it up and built it up in my mind.
Either way, this book, though absolutely amazing, Arthur's writing always is - wasn't quite as addictive as previous novels have been.
Thats not to say it isn't worth a read, it reaaaallly is!
This entire series, in fact, any series written by this wonderful woman is an awesome addition to your bookshelf!
Now let me say, Arthur is one of my most favourite authors of all time, each and every one of her books, I pick up and then don't put down again. Thats it. I'm gone. I disappear into her world, and resurface in tears once the book is over.
With Darkness Unmasked however I found that I could put it down, I could look away. Now don't get me wrong, this book is still awesome. The plot line is engaging, the characters are well developed and you really fall into their world! I loved every moment of it, particularly as it came towards the end of the book and we fell back into the more familiar territory with the warring romance.
I just felt that as a whole, it didn't have as much of a pull as the previous novels in the series?
That may be because (and I don't want to give away anything) - it has one seriously gross demon in it that had me cringing to my very core every time she was described, it may be because I have been waiting for this book for so long that I built it up and built it up in my mind.
Either way, this book, though absolutely amazing, Arthur's writing always is - wasn't quite as addictive as previous novels have been.
Thats not to say it isn't worth a read, it reaaaallly is!
This entire series, in fact, any series written by this wonderful woman is an awesome addition to your bookshelf!
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