Bellan ‘Bell’ Nimeri loved Niko Dastria with all his heart. Knowing Niko was his lifemate from the moment he set eyes on him was bittersweet. Surrounded by unknown threats, becoming more than friends wasn't an option. Besides, he didn't think Niko had the same feelings as he did. What’s more, Niko would need to accept both sides of Bell’s shifter personality, as he and his darintha are a team. Niko has grown up, preparing to someday take over the role of Chieftain to the Estrivia Clan. His life has been good, surrounded by friends and family, but he's always longed to find his truemate. Meeting Bell is a dream come true, but coming from different worlds, he's not sure Bell is willing to change his life to make things work between them. Faced with war and unseen enemies, Estrivia battles for its very existence. The two men cling to their friendship, emotions growing stronger until neither can deny what they feel. Finally together and with the world trying to tear them from each other's arms, they face the enemy head on, knowing the only chance they have of finding happiness together is to defeat the ones who would destroy everything they know and keep them apart.
Best reading order: Corin's Chance Tate's Torment Delphini: Damage Control Once Upon an Ocania (Demons Don't Dream) Dax's Desire Bell's Beloved
Demons Don't Dream can be read as a standalone but it is a crossover - the Avanti do feature in it.
I have yet to be disappointed. Each book in this series is better than the last and I loved those too! I have to say Nikon and Bell are my favorite out of all the couples so far.
Totally unique in sci-fi romance so far is the separate dual conscious minds that comprise Bell and his shifter side. Reminds me of Patricia Briggs and Faith Hunter series.
Really clever look at shifter dynamics in this romance
I absolutely loved how Hannah treated Bell and his darintha shifter as two separate entities sharing the same space. They were unique personalities and I loved how each interacted with Niko in their own way.
On the political and plotting side of things, the pace is quickening again but bringing more mystery along with it. Three of the major players from the bad side of the Conclave are now dead but the tensions as to what is behind everything is still there.
I am seriously hoping the true villain behind all the troubles isn't someone we've already met, I would be gutted if it were any of the characters who appear to be on Kas's side.
Bell and Niko are my second faves after Dax and Kas and there's a lot of beautiful emotional scenes between them in this one. Niko's feelings of friendship finally move into romance when he realises what Bell has known from the start - that they are true mates.
I have decided after 6 book this author is not to my liking just to sickly sweet to plain sailing even the plot cannot keep me reading this is MIO i like grit in my books and Alpha sort of maleS it shouldn't deter anyone that like these plain sailing love at first sight with no drama to the relationship books :-)
Where do I start? This was an amazing read. The way Hannah handled the duel nature of the shifter was unlike anything I'd ever seen. You clearly see the two sides of Bell and see how different yet together they are. The love story was amazing and these two are my favorite pairing of them men so far. Alix... What can I say? We all need a man like him in our lives. The wars and battles were intense and well written. You feel as if you are sitting right there watching it all happen in person. Loved this book.
This book starts where the other one ended. Our guys splitted their forces into 3 groups. One is staying in the capital, the other with Corin and Kel and the last one is marching towards Niko's clan. Niko's group still doesn't know what happend to the King or that Carn died. The story of this book is focused on Niko and Bell finally mating and Niko receiving Bell's markings on his skin. The sex scenes btw Niko and Bell were good. We find out that Niko isn't so innocent as it seemed, he is not a virgin and Bell is a bit jealous of this, but at the same time he knows that both of them have had past lovers but now that they have each other they will never have anyone else. Bell tells his mate all about his childhood and of how he almost died when he was a kid(5 years old or 6), and how one man had saved him. Years later, when he had been only 16, his father had died, saving the grandchild of the man who had saved Bell. His mother's heart hadn't survived the loss of his mate and one year later she had died in her sleep and he had lost her too.
In this book we meet for the first time, Bell's brothers. They arrive on the planet with Hunter's ones.They are protective and love their little brother so much that, since the first moment his ship had crashed, they had never stopped looking for him. Teri, Kaal and Illy are hadsome and sure as hell they will be the next to find their mates, maybe after Bray and Leodar, bcs yes in this book we are sure that Bray feels something for the other man, and also if we don't see any scenes with them together, we can presume that the author will write a book about them.
When they find out about what happened in the Capital, the clan decides to have a month of mourning. Useless to say that they are all sad and angry bcs they weren't able to help their friends.
After this bad news, finally they receive also a good one. Corin tells Bell that there are chances for him to become pregnant with an artificial insemination in his daritha's form and that like this he could have Niko's cubs, something that Bell's daritha had already been sure of, but Bell had waited for Corin's opinion before telling Niko.
Before starting the medical procedure, they get attacked by Martellon's clan and his ally, Yidane. Luckily,also with the help of Bray, they are able to kill Martellon and Yidane runs away. Soon after the battle Bell and Bray take a moment to talk, and here we hear Bray's childhood story and like all the other Avanti's stories isn't only an happy one. Bray then tells Bell about his feelings for Leodar, something that Bell had already understood.
Days pass and all seems calm. Bell and Niko decide that this is a good time to have the medical procedure.
Bell is finally pregnant of 2 twins and all their friends and family are incredibly happy.
I loved how Niko considered Bell and his daritha, who he named Katar, as 2 different entities and loves both of them at the same time. The only difference was the fact that he only loved Bell in a sexual way and the same was for Bell.
Few months later, their enemies attack them again. This time Yidane is being helped by the Tremack's clan, that humanoide creatures that had kidnapped Tir's daughter in the first book.
Niko and his father are fighting in the middle of the battle, with their friends and Bell's brothers, helping them, but they don't stand a chance with the enemies. They are too many. Alix, Niko's father, gets badly injured. Yidane gets killed, and only thanks to the help of 2 other chieftains, Kastor and Cormarck and of Laird Cailen, that arrive with their men, they are able to win.
They don't know if Alix will live. Few hours later Kastain with Dax and Taynor (the doctor) arrive and not much later we see also Corin and Kel get in the clan lands. Alix will survive, but he will always have a limp and can't lead anymore. Few days later Niko is becoming the new chieftain.
2 Months later, Alix is still in a coma and Niko is losing his hope to see his father wake up. His mother is trying to be strong, but she misses her mate. Luckily not all is angst.
Corin and Katar go into labor at the same time. Corin gives birth to a girl and names her,Keria Alexa, while Bell(Katar) gives birth to a son and a daughter.
1 weeks later Niko takes his cubs to his father and puts them on his chest, telling him to wake up if he wants to see them. And he does. Alix is finally back in the land of the living.
The book ends like this, with them 2 days after Alix's awakening, being happy and thinking about their future. They still don't know what their enemies will do now, but they are all together and they are stronger than ever.
I really liked Bell and Niko, and I was happy for them, but at the same time I was a bit sad for the other couples. I hope that one day Corin will be able to find a way to help also the other Avanti and their mates to have babies.
Said that, Like always the book is too long and also if I like this author's writing, sometimes I got bored of reading always the same thing.
next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So much in that book. The lifemate, the war, the pregnancy, corin delivery, bell brother. will they won the war without allies, will they die or one love one die. So interesting. And yes, hfn.
Original review on Molly Lolly Four and a half stars! I’m constantly astounded as I read this series how much each book is interconnected and how things that happened in the past are relevant three books later. Those subtle nuances of how each act affects the rest of the story and the political landscape of Landren as a whole is so wonderfully written. I can only imagine the kinds of notes, outlines, storylines and maps Ms. Walker must have created to write the series. I liked how Dax and Bell’s relationship started quickly in their book since they had been together to a small extent in Ocania and Dax’s story. I like we weren’t forced to wait to see them together since they were already almost there. It wasn’t dragged out or forced unnecessary drama. The story is so full of emotion. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. My favorite line in the whole book came from Tate. “I mean, I’ve heard of coming so hard you lose your mind, but coming so hard you lose your markings?” I was dying laughing when I read that! I love how we get to see more of Bell’s past and more about his heritage. It is amazing to see how his darintha is both part of Bell and his own individual with his own personality and identity. The way these two distinctive parts are written you can easily see how they are connected yet separate. I was fascinated by the simplicity in Katar’s wants. But at the same time both he and Bell loved Niko wholly and deeply and would do anything for him. Bell is so timid at times when it comes to Niko. He never wants to disappoint or upset Niko. It’s intriguing to see how he’s also fearless and willing to risk life and limb to protect his family and all of Estrivia. I enjoyed watching Niko grow as a man in this story. He lead a slightly sheltered life until the struggles started in this series. When they start to become personal you can see how he takes the pain and uses it to become a stronger person and someone that works harder for his clan. He overcomes so much in this story you can see how he will be a powerful leader in the stories to come and long after the root cause is ferreted out and destroyed. I still have so many questions about things going on. I love how each story furthers the overall plot arc and I don’t feel like it’s minimal either. You learn so much more of what’s going on, how more chieftains are reacting and which side others are taking. Yet there’s still this underlying sense that so much more is going on, and, to this reader, is only going to get bigger before it gets better. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next.
I love Bell, Nico, and Katar. This is really M/M story but there are 3 people involved in it. Bell as a Tarin is a shapeshifter. But unlike other shifter themed books, Bell's darintha is actually his own person with own his voice. I enjoyed that Nico gave the darintha his own name of Katar. And I LOVED Katar just as much as I loved Bell and Nico. The conversations between Bell and Katar, just so cute at times.
I have been waiting for this book since I 1st started reading the series. I can say that the Hannah Walker did not disappoint at all. This was actually a very decent sized novel, but it did not feel like it. It was so fast paced and I was so engrossed I didn't even notice how long it was. And honestly I would have been perfectly happy if it kept going. I love this amazing world the author has created. I want more and more.
Each book is about it own couple, but there is an overall arc to the series, and each main characters are revisited and pop in. Especially Tate LOL.
I cannot wait to see what Hannah Walker writes next. I will be downloading it as soon as it goes live. Hannah Walker has been added to my auto buy list and I think she will be for a long time to come.
WOAH !! I have read every book in this series so far and i have to say that, by far is most definitely Hannah's best work to date !! In this we see the relationship between Bell and Niko progress past just kisses in the keeps corridors.As well as that, we get to see the recriminations of the attack on Kastian and what happened during the attack too. What can i say about this story ?? Well…….. We knew from the previous books that Bell was a Darintha shifter and in this the Darintha is turned into an actual character. This for me made it stand out so much more than other shifter books i’ve read where it’s just been a case of “of this character is shifter……” in this, the fact that Hannah gave the Darintha a voice made everything so much better, and at times i felt like i was reading an M/M/M book NOT an M/M book !! The banter between not just Bell and his Darintha but Niko and the Darintha made me laugh so many times. But, along with the tears of laughter there were tears of angst and sadness too. Yet again this was action packed from the start as well as being emotionally packed too. So many times i was on the edge of my seat reading, and at least once i had to stop to regain my composure ! Overall this was an absolutely AMAZING read !! 1000 galactic stars !!!
And a two more editing/proofreading gripes: 1) 'Bell grasped Niko’s hand under the table, lying it flat against his stomach'. I do believe the correct wording would be, 'Bell grasped Niko’s hand under the table, laying it flat against his stomach'. 2) 'I have never been more thankful then right now'. "Then" is the wrong word for this sentence; it should read, 'I have never been more thankful than right now'.
This series and the ones connected are all just so good! All the love, romantic, family, and friendship, that is shown is this series is amazing. Fantastic world building too. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Avanti find their mates, some more Demon Tales, and I'm hoping that Bell's brothers will find their mates too.
Love Niko & Bell's story!! I could never pick a favorite Avanti couple, but they are definitely at the top of the list. I love the way Bell & Katar communicate.....and I especially love Katar's grumpiness!! Hannah did an excellent job with her shifter. I cannot wait for the next book....I could read Avanti stories for forever!!
Niko and Bell weren't my favorite couple in this series, but I loved the development of the overall story that occurred in this book. I felt that this one continued on with the slightly bittersweet themes from the last book, but included more hope as well.
When I read this book I was transported to another world. Its3:45 am. I Pam trying to adjust to being in bed, not on Landran. My eyes are red Use I've been reading non stop for 7 hrs. Oh, I fed my dog, and ate a sandwich, but the story seven went with me to the bathroom. All I can say is READ this series!!!! Yours in fantasy, linda
This was a great addition to this series..Bell and Niko's story was great...the story flowed just like the others...can't wait for the next book and see how the plot further developes ...the Political intrigue is killing me!! Hates off to the author.....
I really like this series & this is the best so far IMO. The character's dialogue is much better in this one (which was why I had rated the first two books only 3 stars). Great world building & intrigue. I'm looking forward to more books in this universe.
This was a very long book. I don't think it could be helped because it had so much content. But I got a little bored through parts of it. Had to force myself to finish it. I loved the last chapter.
I am in love with this series and this is my favorite so far.Niko and Bell are just perfect together and Nikos parents have so great moments throughout the book that had me laughing out loud.Such a great read.I can't wait for the next.
Ohhhhhh I've been wishing for Bell's story and this book didn't disappoint!!! There is so much excitement and dreams going on in almost every page! I am so anxious to see what is next for this special group of friends.
After reading some reviews, was expecting much more. Had to slog through, almost did not finish. Good world building, but the dialogue could be somewhat stilted and as part of a series, there so many characters that I didn't even find the list at the end helpful.
KU I have one major problem with this book and series. The next book isn't out yet and I am having baby withdrawal. Pins and needles here, hurry up and give me more time with the shifter babies. This is the best book of the series so far. No cliffhanger but a lot more of the story to be written.