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Mages & Mayhem #3

Dark Reckoning

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The Intense Series Finale!!!

Hybrid Mages, Sage and Adrian, find themselves yet again, running out of time with everything they hold dear hanging in the balance. After performing a powerful spell that unleashed a dark god hellbent on bringing pure evil into the world, they now have to join the Council of mages known as the Echelon Imperial if they have any hope of saving all of humanity and supernals. If that wasn’t enough to worry about, Salino, the new vampire emperor’s very existence is in jeopardy as the other remaining emperors pose a threat to his life. Angered by the repercussions to all vampires due to his actions, they want his blood to satiate their vengeance. That is something neither Sage nor Adrian can let happen. With the clock ticking away, the magic & mayhem get entirely out of control. Reader Reader 18+ Mature Readers. Sarcastic, jealous, and ruthless characters doing what they do best. Expect some blood, a bit of gore, and a hell of a lot of heart-pounding action equal to the mattress-pounding sexcapdes. Oh, and as always, a TON of S**T-talking. Prepare for the unexpected as you may end up reading all night. Don't take the risk by missing out!

Books in Order
That Mafioso Magic
Blood Dynasty
Dark Reckoning

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2023

30 people are currently reading
47 people want to read

About the author

Nicholas Bella

94 books1,079 followers
About The Maniac Who Wrote These Books

I'm the author of deliciously dark, sexy, and thrilling MM fiction in various genres. I corrupt readers with salacious tales of possessive men staking their claims on the men who make their blood rise in certain places. I know... I should be ashamed, but I'm shameless. I'm a public menace that can't be stopped, and my characters are rude, sassy, charming, arrogant, and hotter than sinners in hell. They tell me what they want and I follow orders. When I'm not hunched over my keyboard typing away, I love to watch movies and TV shows (You should check out my reviews.)
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Find Your Next Obsession from my literary offerings on my website.

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5 stars
78 (61%)
4 stars
33 (25%)
3 stars
11 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Sherry.
682 reviews6 followers
September 30, 2023
This book proves that Nicholas Bella can write an almost perfect all around book. It has great plot with everything from drama to comedy, characters that make you drool and run the gammet of personalities, steamy scenes that curl your toes, and a pace that moves so smoothly you don't realize you are approaching the end until it hits you and slams your reading enjoyment to a sudden halt. Definitely the best book I have read from the author.
Profile Image for P Leslie.
3,207 reviews17 followers
March 27, 2024
This was a mind blowing finale and I absolutely loved it.

Adrian and Sage’s journey was bumpy and unpredictable but their love remained strong and true till the end.

Fantastic series that shouldn’t be missed! Highly recommend!!!

Narrator did an amazing job bringing the characters to life.

*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
Profile Image for Wide Eyes, Big Ears!.
2,631 reviews
December 5, 2024
Ever since they used their combined mage magic to help Salino, the Vampire Archduke of Chicago, overthrow his Emperor, things have snowballed for private investigator Adrian Elias and lion shifter king Sage Tamir. Killing the Emperor allowed the Dark God to enter the mortal world and he’s been rapidly converting humans and supernaturals into powerful zombies. Adrian, Sage, and the other members of the Echelon Imperial of Mages are frantically searching their grimoires in a race against time to find spells powerful enough to defeat the God and his minions. They’ll also have to convince some of the other supernatural leaders to combine their essences to empower the mages for the spells.

I liked the humour and ideas in this series finale and it wrapped everything up in a very satisfying way, but it didn’t wow me as much as the previous two books. It was still fun and worth reading (in order), but there was less action and heat and much more focus on logistics and preparing for the final showdown and I found that more prosaic. The final battle was great, I just wish there had been more scenes like that. 🎧 The first two books were narrated by Keith Folz who was excellent. I’m sure Nicholas Bella would have preferred to use the same narrator throughout but that’s not always possible. But it’s hard to adjust to a new narrator, I didn’t mind Matt Williams’ narrative style but the characters all sounded different and Matt reads at a much faster pace—not bad, just different.
Profile Image for Gale MR.
326 reviews22 followers
October 6, 2023
I wish this wasn't the series finale and the end of this really interesting fictional world - there are characters I'd love to see in depth in some kind of spin off or just to see our mages reaching a higher stage of their knowledgeand how to use it properly. Adrian and Sage do not disappoint in presenting a new serving of their offbeat "How to learn magic and screw everyone and everything while we fumble and improvise" kind of way - honestly, I laughed so much reading the amazing sometimes scathing,sometimes sarcastic banter between the Council members and Adrian and Sage on the other side. Sage's big mouth was driving me crazy but that made the reading more enjoyable. Breaking
Salino's ties with his master had the unexpected effect of releasing the Dark God who wreaks havoc and bloody mayhem in his wake. So Sage and Adrian must admit their mistake and find a way to stop the destruction. Favors are called in, tough decisions are made, and new challenges are met in this intense last installment of "Mages & Mayhem. And, of course, in typical Bella's style, there is no real fun without some smexy times!
Profile Image for Cheryl_cajun .
1,213 reviews29 followers
September 27, 2023
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Well worth the wait for The Fin, as it's not just all about  surpnal territorial disputes but the wrath of an old god!  
Just another day right.. in a world Adrian and Sage unwittingly released now a (Join us or else) is basically what the council of Imperial pricks. Violence was about to be unleashed over the world, and the petty emperors grievous..All because the missing link to a power that is about to overwhelm the world in something more new and terrifying.  Safe guarding Salino and Damon's territory, the transportation spell is about to become a useful asset to Adrian,  just saying a helicopter can't compete really.
Profile Image for Manuela.
903 reviews
October 1, 2023
A fantastic finale to the previous two books in that trilogy. And a firework ending, I wasn't able to put the book down. I totally dug Sage and Adrian and how they made their opposites attraction work for them. I enjoyed the word duels between almost every character. It was amazing that I couldn't find a moment where they did something without talking to each other first.

I haven't read any griezels before and can see a spin-off to learn more about Damon and his whatever-griezels-in-numbers are called.

I recommend to read the other two books first as they are building up on each other, there's a lot of spell casting. Nicholas Bella is getting better with each book.



****** I won this ARC ******
Profile Image for Devoted❤️Reader.
1,615 reviews31 followers
October 1, 2023
Prices & Rewards

Danger, magic, thrills, and that’s only the beginning in this intense, adrenaline-fueled conclusion! I’ve loved seeing the metamorphosis of Sage and Adrian’s ultra steamy, meant for each other love.

“Fate gave me a gift when I walked into Adrian's office that day and like Salino... I would do whatever it took to protect what we had. Whatever it took.”

Gah, I love these two! They’re the epitome of opposites attract, and the way they blend together is a magic all its own. No secrets revealed but know this, whatever price that must be paid, I’d give it again and again for the best reward of all are Adrian and Sage.
18 reviews
April 2, 2024
Lots of Action!!!

Sage and Adrian take their combined powers to the max in this whirlwind action and bloodthirsty tale of Dark Reckoning. Somehow they still manage to steam up the story in the midst of saving the world from a demon god and his army of terrifying zombies. This is the third book in Nicholas Bella’s Mages and Mayhem series, and it truly is about mages, definitely mayhem, vampires, griezels, shifters, and sex. Of course, dark erotic tales are Bella’s forte. I loved all of it! Except that humans are still at the bottom of the supernal hierarchy and barely worth the blood their body contains. So get over our human limitations and enjoy the reckoning.
Profile Image for Kassandra  Knight.
1,528 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2023
Great ending to the trilogy, however, I definitely recommend reading in order and bingeing the books because I didn’t and I don’t remember anything that happened. Don’t pull a Kassandra. 16 months was way too long to go between reading books, in book years that’s like two decades. When I have time I’ll definitely be re-reading the series.

Definitely recommend if you like these tropes.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amber.
1,713 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2024
Great ending to the series!

I loved Dark Reckoning by Nicholas Bella. It's the third book in the Mages & Mayhem series. So much has happened to Adrian and Sage, but with their new "friends" they manage to get everything fixed with minimal losses. I loved all of the action in this series and the many hot scenes. I especially loved the end of this book. I loved getting to see Adrian and Sage get their happily ever after.

I read this book using the Kindle unlimited app.
Profile Image for Gail Brown.
2 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2023
What a ending.

I’m just overwhelmed by the last book in this series. There was love, laughter, magic and good and bad men what a combination. I really hate to see this series end. Maybe we can see these guys back together again in the future. The book and characters where so alive. The series just kept you so entranced. I will be reading this again.
Profile Image for Lisa White.
188 reviews
October 7, 2023
Sooo f***ing good

Soooo f***ing good,I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this series right from the start it has you hooked. It keeps you wanting more with every single page and dammm does Nicholas Bella know how to write sexy Badass characters that leave you breathless. I highly recommend this series of I could give it more than 5* I would
Profile Image for Leci Forde.
376 reviews
October 7, 2023
If you like gritty and dark but with witty dialogue, then read this entire series! This is the finale and was worthy of the title. It’s fantasy with an apocalyptic feel at times. There was a reckoning that caused me a few anxious moments…it was divine! The series should be read in order for maximum enjoyment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dire Raven.
93 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2023
Wow wow wow wow WOW!!!

Such and fantastic ending to the series. It had everything packed in this sucker. Vampires, demon god, zombie supernals like creatures, mages, shifters, sex, sex and more sex. Whhhhheeeew, it’s hot up in this bitch after reading this beauty. All I have say is Sage and Salino are super yummy. Enjoy this amazing ride!
143 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
Magical mayhem

Nicolas Bella's world is the most fascinating place to visit. If you pay attention you will learn a thing or two. You will be taken to such passionate places where you too can enjoy lives treasures. You will meet a variety of creatures and characters that broadened your imagination. This was a great read. Awesome story done well.
Profile Image for Jandee.
871 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2024
I love this book!

I love Adrian and Sage. I was hoping they would end up a thing with Salino. They're both so freaking badass, and it was awesome that their powers just kept growing. They're so cool!
I love the narrator for this 3rd book. His voice for Sage is so dadgum sexy. It totally made me swoony. 😂
Profile Image for SKITTLES 613.
15 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2023
I won't spoil it but it is a definite good read. If you've already read the first two this is the conclusion you have been waiting for and you won't be let down. Please pick it up when it's released. I just don't want to mention to much to spoil anything for readers. 👌👌👌
Profile Image for The Reluctant Retiree.
960 reviews7 followers
September 13, 2023
I also don’t want to spoil the ending for you but folks, it’s a doozy! I really enjoyed this series and didn’t want to see it ending. Nicholas has a way of drawing you into the story and making it all seem so believable. Enjoy people!
1,244 reviews52 followers
September 29, 2023
Finales of the ages

Dark Reckoning, the finale of the Mages and Mayhem series, is quite intense and a perfect conclusion to Sage and Adrian's story. As with Nicholas Bella's stories, it's full of adventure, thriller and of course hot, I mean hawwwt scenes and a perfect romance.
Profile Image for Mimi.
2,461 reviews
October 3, 2023
Spectacular finale

4.5 stars

The final book of this series did not let its readers down. Blood, sex, magic and thrills made the final book in the series spectacular. Sage and Adrian worked together to save the world and each other, Sage wouldn’t have it any other way.
371 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2023
A Dark God hellbent on destroying the world. The Emperial Echelon, determined to force Adrian and Sage to join them in saving the world from the monster they unleashed. Sage and Adrian are more attached to each other, their devotion deeper. I loved this series, sad to say goodbye
818 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2024
An excellent series

Enjoyed all 3 books in the series. Highly recommend listening, so much fun!
Loved Adrian, Sage and his pride.
The books have humour, fun, danger, intrigue, twists.
Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sam.
427 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2023
An epic final 👏 wow. I have enjoyed this series. Adrain and Sage are just so perfect together. their love is just pure 💖

* You are my heart,my soul,my destiny, my everything...I love you*
30 reviews
October 2, 2023
Sooooo in love with this series!

So glad our dark & light heroes get their HEA. No pressure NB but mama wants some more Mages & Mayhem!
Profile Image for Connie.
176 reviews16 followers
October 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Dark Reckoning. We meet up with Sage and Adrian again, as well as some wonderful characters from the previous books, and now they've joined the elite of the elite in order to save the world. The book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I'm sorry to see this series end but what a ride!
Profile Image for Denise White.
2,033 reviews
September 2, 2024
Not bad ending everything wrapped up nicely story flowed sage is my all-time favorite no nonsense take no bullshit. I love it.!!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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