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The Witch's Rebels #2
Darkness Bound
“We are, all of us, bound for darkness.”
Ten years ago, my mother was brutally murdered before my eyes. Now, after killing my best friend and kidnapping dozens of other witches, the hunter who stalked my nightmares for a decade is ready to unleash his twisted fury on me.
Good thing I’ve got backup: five strong, impossibly sexy supernatural guardians who’d do anything to keep me safe.
With my rebels by my side, the hunter can’t hurt me. But the disappearance of Blackmoon Bay’s witches has bigger implications, shifting the balance of power and leaving our communities in upheaval. Add in a rogue vampire from my past, traitorous supernaturals wreaking havoc in the Bay, and the innate dark magic I still can’t control, and we’re staring down some pretty bleak odds.
My loyal protectors have helped me face down every threat, and I love them for it—more than they probably realize.
But in the end, there are some battles a witch must fight on her own.
Starting with the ones raging inside.
DARKNESS BOUND is the second book in The Witch’s Rebels, a steamy reverse harem paranormal romance and urban fantasy series featuring five smoldering-hot guys and the kickass witch they’d kill to protect. If you like sexy forbidden romance, dark magic, and heart-pounding supernatural suspense, Sarah Piper’s witchy new series will leave you spellbound.
Ten years ago, my mother was brutally murdered before my eyes. Now, after killing my best friend and kidnapping dozens of other witches, the hunter who stalked my nightmares for a decade is ready to unleash his twisted fury on me.
Good thing I’ve got backup: five strong, impossibly sexy supernatural guardians who’d do anything to keep me safe.
With my rebels by my side, the hunter can’t hurt me. But the disappearance of Blackmoon Bay’s witches has bigger implications, shifting the balance of power and leaving our communities in upheaval. Add in a rogue vampire from my past, traitorous supernaturals wreaking havoc in the Bay, and the innate dark magic I still can’t control, and we’re staring down some pretty bleak odds.
My loyal protectors have helped me face down every threat, and I love them for it—more than they probably realize.
But in the end, there are some battles a witch must fight on her own.
Starting with the ones raging inside.
DARKNESS BOUND is the second book in The Witch’s Rebels, a steamy reverse harem paranormal romance and urban fantasy series featuring five smoldering-hot guys and the kickass witch they’d kill to protect. If you like sexy forbidden romance, dark magic, and heart-pounding supernatural suspense, Sarah Piper’s witchy new series will leave you spellbound.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2018
1973 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Piper
32 books1,033 followersSarah Piper is a witchy, Tarot-card-slinging paranormal romance and urban fantasy author. Through her signature brew of dark magic, heart-pounding suspense, and steamy romance, Sarah promises a sexy, supernatural escape into a world where the magic is real, the monsters are sinfully hot, and the witches always get their magically-ever-afters.
Readers have dubbed her work “super sexy,” “imaginative and original,” “off-the-walls good,” and “delightfully wicked in the best ways,” a quote Sarah hopes will appear on her tombstone.
Originally from New York, Sarah now makes her home in northern Colorado with her husband (though that changes frequently) (the location, not the husband), where she spends her days sleeping like a vampire and her nights writing books, casting spells, gazing at the moon, playing with her ever-expanding collection of Tarot cards, binge-watching Supernatural (Team Dean!), and obsessing over the best way to brew a cup of tea.
You can find her online at SarahPiperBooks.com and in her Facebook readers group, Sarah Piper's Sassy Witches.
Readers have dubbed her work “super sexy,” “imaginative and original,” “off-the-walls good,” and “delightfully wicked in the best ways,” a quote Sarah hopes will appear on her tombstone.
Originally from New York, Sarah now makes her home in northern Colorado with her husband (though that changes frequently) (the location, not the husband), where she spends her days sleeping like a vampire and her nights writing books, casting spells, gazing at the moon, playing with her ever-expanding collection of Tarot cards, binge-watching Supernatural (Team Dean!), and obsessing over the best way to brew a cup of tea.
You can find her online at SarahPiperBooks.com and in her Facebook readers group, Sarah Piper's Sassy Witches.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
February 25, 2021
This was a decent read (finally!)
Let me tell you a little story (short, I promise)
I left a negative comment to a book I didn't like, saying that it was boring, the characters were flat, blah blah, and gave up on the series. Someone left a very... a comment to this review saying, among other 'nice' words, that I should always wait 3, 4 books in a series until it gets interesting and I should never give up after only reading 500, 600 pages.
Naturally, I didn't agree and things escalated a bit from there.
Anyway, what's the moral of this story?
Maybe this person wasn't totally wrong.
I still think books aren't worth reading if you don't like them, no matter what others say, but maybe, just maybe, sometimes it's worth waiting a bit until giving up on a read...
(as long as it's not a totally awful book, full of idiots, awfully written, boring, and stuff. Then it's ok to burn it)
Getting back to the topic now.
On the one hand, this book left me wanting more, anxious to start the next book, so that's great! Something is finally happening, and I'm no longer bored, so yay!
On the other hand, well... It took 2 books to get to a fun point in this series, so that's not exactly a good thing. Still, it has potential.
I'm curious to see where the next one takes me.
Please, please don't let me down, author!
Let me tell you a little story (short, I promise)
I left a negative comment to a book I didn't like, saying that it was boring, the characters were flat, blah blah, and gave up on the series. Someone left a very... a comment to this review saying, among other 'nice' words, that I should always wait 3, 4 books in a series until it gets interesting and I should never give up after only reading 500, 600 pages.
Naturally, I didn't agree and things escalated a bit from there.
Anyway, what's the moral of this story?
Maybe this person wasn't totally wrong.
I still think books aren't worth reading if you don't like them, no matter what others say, but maybe, just maybe, sometimes it's worth waiting a bit until giving up on a read...
(as long as it's not a totally awful book, full of idiots, awfully written, boring, and stuff. Then it's ok to burn it)
Getting back to the topic now.
On the one hand, this book left me wanting more, anxious to start the next book, so that's great! Something is finally happening, and I'm no longer bored, so yay!
On the other hand, well... It took 2 books to get to a fun point in this series, so that's not exactly a good thing. Still, it has potential.
I'm curious to see where the next one takes me.
Please, please don't let me down, author!
July 18, 2018
This sequel was just as good as the first book, introducing a few new characters and giving some much-needed insight into others. It really ramps up the Supernatural-vibe, too. And the steaminess. *fans self* Neither aspect is too terribly graphic, though. At least, not in comparison to other things I've read, lol. And it definitely left me wanting more...I can't wait until the next book releases in September!
June 15, 2018
3,5^ rating
Shiiet that ending tho, i will not survive the waiting...
Shiiet that ending tho, i will not survive the waiting...
December 28, 2020
It was a solid 4-4.5 stars until the very end. But that was a stupid fucking decision, like a villain monologuing rather than just killing the hero. She went for super unnecessary overkill when just killing him would have done the trick, and it was fucking beyond stupid.
April 17, 2023
A decent second instalment, although it didn’t feel like much happened until the end. We’re finally battling it out with Jonathan so I look forward to seeing how that goes. Gray and Asher are both stubborn cows with one another but we do finally see some progress with them at the end of this.
March 6, 2019
Darkness indeed
Definitely a heavy and dark book. The hits keep coming for Gray and it seems like darkness overshadows the little bit of light she has from her guardians. The perpetrators are finally unveiled and Gray comes head to head with her past. Love how death becomes almost humanized. Will be interesting to see where the story goes from here!
Definitely a heavy and dark book. The hits keep coming for Gray and it seems like darkness overshadows the little bit of light she has from her guardians. The perpetrators are finally unveiled and Gray comes head to head with her past. Love how death becomes almost humanized. Will be interesting to see where the story goes from here!
June 21, 2018
For the majority of this book I felt like I was running on a treadmill, in other words in a hurry to get no where. When we finally reached the end, it felt like someone turned that treadmill off. The story came to an abrupt FULL STOP 🛑 which added up to a cliffhanger. This book was a letdown 2.5 stars
September 20, 2018
Gray and her guys are still on the trail of the Hunter that killed Gray's roommate and kidnapped some other witches. As their investigation continues, she realizes that she and the Hunter have a past. Jonathan and his father were the ones that killed her foster mother and the reason she was on the run until landing in Seattle. Jonathan was also her first love, which gives him the power to invade her magic realm - not good. There is a cliffhanger at the end.
I'm liking the series so far. Gray is an interesting character. Sometimes she is strong-willed, stubborn, and refuses to give up; and other times she is vulnerable and defeated. It makes her likable and makes me want to cheer her on. Darius is still my favorite in the group. There are some nice steamy scenes with him in this book. And we get to know Ash a little better - something tells me that the steam factor with him will only get hotter in book 3.
I'm liking the series so far. Gray is an interesting character. Sometimes she is strong-willed, stubborn, and refuses to give up; and other times she is vulnerable and defeated. It makes her likable and makes me want to cheer her on. Darius is still my favorite in the group. There are some nice steamy scenes with him in this book. And we get to know Ash a little better - something tells me that the steam factor with him will only get hotter in book 3.
June 29, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Book two in the The Witch's Rebel series. I fell in love with book one so I could not wait to get my hands on this but I have to say it took forever to really get moving. Gray has a lot of stuff to deal with and it all seems to come out during the first part of the book making it more emotional then anything else. I honestly wanted to smack her a few times and tell her to get over it. Then the action started, the steamy stuff started, and a few surprise were thrown in the mix just to keep us on our toes leading to a cliff hanger of an ending. Once the book got moving it was really great you just have to power through the beginning to get there. Thanks to the second half I can still give it 4/5 stars which makes happy after the love for book one.
Book two in the The Witch's Rebel series. I fell in love with book one so I could not wait to get my hands on this but I have to say it took forever to really get moving. Gray has a lot of stuff to deal with and it all seems to come out during the first part of the book making it more emotional then anything else. I honestly wanted to smack her a few times and tell her to get over it. Then the action started, the steamy stuff started, and a few surprise were thrown in the mix just to keep us on our toes leading to a cliff hanger of an ending. Once the book got moving it was really great you just have to power through the beginning to get there. Thanks to the second half I can still give it 4/5 stars which makes happy after the love for book one.
February 14, 2022
This story keeps getting better and better and I really like the characters more and more the further I read into this series. Additionally I found out what Deck of Tarot Cards Sophie is using (The Six of Swords/Seven of Swords Combo did it) and I’m delighted that it’s one of my favourites in my own collection as well. Deviant Moon in addition to a really interesting story, that’s a clear five stars.
September 21, 2025
This was another series which I borrowed and was included in my audiobook subscription. Thank you Sarah Piper for this.
I enjoyed the whole series and finished all six books, before they were taken down.
I enjoyed the whole series and finished all six books, before they were taken down.
July 5, 2018
I am slightly torn. Was it better than the first... meh.
I will say sometimes I find the guy's perspectives to be rather...uninteresting annoying. Because they have to constantly state how proud they are of her or how much they cherish her. I mean we get it...they're following this chick around like a blade of grass will undo her. Of course they're so strongly devoted. We don't need to hear it 50000x times.
HOWEVER. LIAM GIVES ME LIFE. Death finding himself loving Gray is about the most hilarious thing considering he is Death with a capital D and he isn't supposed to feel emotions. And yet he takes on a human vessel and it is downright HILARIOUS. His inner monologues had me laughing and shedding tears. I couldn't stop. It's just so funny.
The first half of the book was much better than the second half. Excited to see where book 3 will go considering how book 2 ended.
Hoping Liam finds out what human emotions are. LOLOLOL.
I will say sometimes I find the guy's perspectives to be rather...
HOWEVER. LIAM GIVES ME LIFE. Death finding himself loving Gray is about the most hilarious thing considering he is Death with a capital D and he isn't supposed to feel emotions. And yet he takes on a human vessel and it is downright HILARIOUS. His inner monologues had me laughing and shedding tears. I couldn't stop. It's just so funny.
The first half of the book was much better than the second half. Excited to see where book 3 will go considering how book 2 ended.
Hoping Liam finds out what human emotions are. LOLOLOL.
June 14, 2018
Wow, just wow!
This book has all the important aspects that I look for in good stories. Love, mystery, moral discrepancies, heart wrenching grief, discovery of self.... Yes, this is a paranormal RH but there's so much more to it than that and Sarah Piper brings it all together so beautifully. so even if this genre isn't your normal cup of tea I would still recommend this book. The RH and sexy times are tasteful and not happening every 5 minutes which I think is perfect for this particular book. Some stories are based mainly on sexy times and I love those too 😉 but sometimes less is more and I think it turned out great in Darkness Bound. Anyways, I am really impressed with Ms. Piper's writing skillz. She's quickly becoming a favorite and I'll be dying over here waiting for book 3!
This book has all the important aspects that I look for in good stories. Love, mystery, moral discrepancies, heart wrenching grief, discovery of self.... Yes, this is a paranormal RH but there's so much more to it than that and Sarah Piper brings it all together so beautifully. so even if this genre isn't your normal cup of tea I would still recommend this book. The RH and sexy times are tasteful and not happening every 5 minutes which I think is perfect for this particular book. Some stories are based mainly on sexy times and I love those too 😉 but sometimes less is more and I think it turned out great in Darkness Bound. Anyways, I am really impressed with Ms. Piper's writing skillz. She's quickly becoming a favorite and I'll be dying over here waiting for book 3!
February 16, 2021
5 stars for Darkness Bound by Sarah Piper. This is book two in The Witch’s Rebels series. Holy cow this series just keeps getting better and better. I will say the ending though has me on edge. I am so glad the next book is out or it would be torture waiting. This book had more steam and more action. Gray is faced with more heart-wrenching times, where she is forced to grow. I am loving her character. I feel like some secrets are about to be uncovered involving her guys.
March 24, 2024
Gray grows so much over the course of this book. We get to understand her magic a bit better and of course see her building the start of relationships with her guys.
As with the first book, we have the issue of the hunter and the havoc he is wreaking on the supernatural world. I have some very pointed questions I hope get answered in the next book, cause I cannot for the life of me understand how a person without magic can access Gray’s magical realm.
On to the next to see what happens!
As with the first book, we have the issue of the hunter and the havoc he is wreaking on the supernatural world. I have some very pointed questions I hope get answered in the next book, cause I cannot for the life of me understand how a person without magic can access Gray’s magical realm.
On to the next to see what happens!
June 16, 2018
This was a little slower than the first book, less action and more focus on the MC's emotional state. I found this a little hard to connect to overall. For people that are very familiar with Puget Sound, the geography in this will grate on your nerves at time, I don't think the author has ever been here. Mostly I think this suffers from second book syndrome. I will probably read the 3rd book because it's on KU but even with the cliffhanger ending I am feeling a bit meh.
September 6, 2021
Keeps getting better
I really enjoyed this book you are learning more about the past of each of Gray's rebels. I love the idea of being both light and dark and have found a interest in tarot cards.
I really enjoyed this book you are learning more about the past of each of Gray's rebels. I love the idea of being both light and dark and have found a interest in tarot cards.
July 20, 2018
Yes!
Better then book one, everything and everything character is developing in such incredible ways. Im so drawn into this series.
Better then book one, everything and everything character is developing in such incredible ways. Im so drawn into this series.
January 24, 2019
This sequel was just as good, if not better than, the first book in the series. The relationship development has been wonderfully written, and I’m totally falling for Gray’s men.
October 23, 2024
Great continuation of the first book, more twists and turns, some questions are answered more questions are added, fun book.
January 9, 2019
I read the first book thought it was okay... not great but it had potential. This one was worse. No plot movement no relationship development no anticipation of either.
I’ve seen this done well once LKH’s Merry Gentry series. In this case adding all the additional male characters just muddies everything. They are not unique enough nor are their relationships.
I’ve seen this done well once LKH’s Merry Gentry series. In this case adding all the additional male characters just muddies everything. They are not unique enough nor are their relationships.
August 7, 2018
This was a good follow up and a solid 4 starts from me...until final page.
I can't say anything without giving away spoilers, but her actions made zero sense, which is a shame.
I'm.hoping the third book justifies what was something that appeared totally stupid, and needless, to have to do!
I can't say anything without giving away spoilers, but her actions made zero sense, which is a shame.
I'm.hoping the third book justifies what was something that appeared totally stupid, and needless, to have to do!
June 18, 2018
FIVE BADASS STARS!!
Sarah Piper is the Queen of supernatural reverse harem stories. Darkness Bound just kicked things up a notch! I loved every single thing about this book! I’m going to review the series so far. My thoughts span the first and second books, only because I read them so close together that I have a hard time thinking of them as two separate books. Normally I like to review the books individually, which I did anyway, but this review doesn’t stick solely to Darkness Bound.
Gray is probably one of my favorite heroines in any story I’ve read in a very long time. She’s smart, sexy, determined, gets a little overwhelmed at times just like normal humans, but she’s powerful and kickass as hell. I’m enamored by her strength and resilience, and pretty much in love with her too. She’s lost everything she’s ever cared about, everyone she’s ever loved. She has so much baggage that I was sure it’d take a horde of demons, shifters, and vampires to claim her heart. But no, just one crossroads demon, an incubus, a wolf shifter, a powerful vamp, and Death in khakis and a polo.
Don’t even get me started on her men. Geeeez. Could these guys get any sexier? First off, Ronan is my one true love in this world. Our crossroads demon has stood beside Gray for years, been there when she needed him. And for that, my love for him will never die. Following as a close second is Asher, my sassy and sarcastic incubus who is so scarred and haunted that he pushes away the people he loves most. Oh how I love the damaged ones. Darius, or D as Gray nicknamed him, is third on my list of “WRILF” ;) This sexy vamp has captivated me since we visited his bar when our little brawler performed some eye opening necromancy in SK. I love his old world charm but it was his dislike of voicemail in the first book that truly sealed the deal for me, he’s mine now. In DB we get to see and interact more with Emilio, our hot detective who also happens to be a wolf shifter. He’s kind and gentle with Gray but this man is a force to be reckoned with. He’s loyal, fierce and comes with his own baggage too! Baggage for everyone!! And the man can cook. He can make me a pan of brownies any day. I’m looking forward to learning more about his past, and maybe some sexy-time? I love sexy-time. Liam, aka Death, I’m still on the fence about. I haven’t gotten to know the real “Death” if you ever truly can. I need more time with him to suss out my emotions toward him. I like his character though, he reminds me a lot of a sexier (and you can’t get much sexier here) Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory. He spouts random facts and secrets of the universe. Spooky is almost nerdy, and I just love him.
The plot of both SK and DB continued to shock and surprise me. When I downloaded the first book I was excited for the naughty bits, because why else would I be looking into RH books? :) But the plot pleasantly surprised me. I was engrossed in the story and DB builds and continues that plot. Mages who lost their power become Hunters who are determined to get that lost power back from Witches they feel have stolen it. Add in one crazy AF ex-boyfriend who also happens to be a Hunter, and we have the beginning of something totally kickass. Gray is becoming something extraordinary and I cannot wait to see what comes next for her and her men.
Bring on book three!!
Sarah Piper is the Queen of supernatural reverse harem stories. Darkness Bound just kicked things up a notch! I loved every single thing about this book! I’m going to review the series so far. My thoughts span the first and second books, only because I read them so close together that I have a hard time thinking of them as two separate books. Normally I like to review the books individually, which I did anyway, but this review doesn’t stick solely to Darkness Bound.
Gray is probably one of my favorite heroines in any story I’ve read in a very long time. She’s smart, sexy, determined, gets a little overwhelmed at times just like normal humans, but she’s powerful and kickass as hell. I’m enamored by her strength and resilience, and pretty much in love with her too. She’s lost everything she’s ever cared about, everyone she’s ever loved. She has so much baggage that I was sure it’d take a horde of demons, shifters, and vampires to claim her heart. But no, just one crossroads demon, an incubus, a wolf shifter, a powerful vamp, and Death in khakis and a polo.
Don’t even get me started on her men. Geeeez. Could these guys get any sexier? First off, Ronan is my one true love in this world. Our crossroads demon has stood beside Gray for years, been there when she needed him. And for that, my love for him will never die. Following as a close second is Asher, my sassy and sarcastic incubus who is so scarred and haunted that he pushes away the people he loves most. Oh how I love the damaged ones. Darius, or D as Gray nicknamed him, is third on my list of “WRILF” ;) This sexy vamp has captivated me since we visited his bar when our little brawler performed some eye opening necromancy in SK. I love his old world charm but it was his dislike of voicemail in the first book that truly sealed the deal for me, he’s mine now. In DB we get to see and interact more with Emilio, our hot detective who also happens to be a wolf shifter. He’s kind and gentle with Gray but this man is a force to be reckoned with. He’s loyal, fierce and comes with his own baggage too! Baggage for everyone!! And the man can cook. He can make me a pan of brownies any day. I’m looking forward to learning more about his past, and maybe some sexy-time? I love sexy-time. Liam, aka Death, I’m still on the fence about. I haven’t gotten to know the real “Death” if you ever truly can. I need more time with him to suss out my emotions toward him. I like his character though, he reminds me a lot of a sexier (and you can’t get much sexier here) Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory. He spouts random facts and secrets of the universe. Spooky is almost nerdy, and I just love him.
The plot of both SK and DB continued to shock and surprise me. When I downloaded the first book I was excited for the naughty bits, because why else would I be looking into RH books? :) But the plot pleasantly surprised me. I was engrossed in the story and DB builds and continues that plot. Mages who lost their power become Hunters who are determined to get that lost power back from Witches they feel have stolen it. Add in one crazy AF ex-boyfriend who also happens to be a Hunter, and we have the beginning of something totally kickass. Gray is becoming something extraordinary and I cannot wait to see what comes next for her and her men.
Bring on book three!!
November 22, 2023
3.5-4 stars
This book has a lot of really great aspects. Gray's magic is quite interesting and she's only just beginning to discover what she is capable of.
Gray herself is a very sympathetic and realistic character who has been though a lot, has her walls up and doesn't easily let others in. Yet she still tries to protect strangers when they need help and world do anything for those she loves. She's tough, resilient and vulnerable at the same time and despite all the tragedies she's had to endure, she remains kind, hopeful and understanding.
I also appreciate that although she is an incredibly powerful witch, she has a very realistic struggle with learning how to use and control her magic after turning her back on it for almost a decade. She works hard to improve but it's a slow process. The same is true of her fighting skills. She wants to be able to protect herself but she doesn't become this kick ass fighter after 2 lessons. Instead, she mostly gets her butt kicked but she keeps trying.
However, I still felt like something was missing. and I think this book could have gone from a slightly above average paranormal romance to something really special if there had been a few changes.
For one, the bond between Gray and her many love interests needed some more work to really make me care about them together and to justify the lengths Gray was willing to go to in order to save Asher, even at the risk to her own life. Especially since they spend most of their time fighting and getting under each others skin. Not to mention the fact that she hasn't really know him or spent a lot of time with him.
Except for Ronan, most of these relationships are still in the early stages, where they're just getting to know each other and that feels right. I don't want to read about Insta love, but it also means that I'm not yet that invested in their romantic relationships and the sacrifices she's willing to make for all of them feel unwarranted.
I also think a little more back story on Gray and Jonathan's early relationship, showing her falling for him and explaining when and how he found out that she was a witch, and weather or not he struggled with betraying her would have made their reunion more impactful and his betrayal more heartbreaking. But none of that gets explained. Did he always know that she was a witch? Did he ever actually love her or was he using her the whole time?
This also could have benefited from more female friendships, however I like that even though Sophie is gone, she's still a part of the story because Gray still thinks about her and talks to her and relives memories they shared. Sophie's death isn't just used as a plot device to motivate Gray to find her killer and then forgotten about. Sophie remains important to Gray throughout the first 2 books, despite only actually being alive for like one scene in the beginning of the first book.
Overall, this mostly held my attention and was a quick, enjoyable escape. It's definitely not a bad book at all but probably not one that Will stand out in my memory either. I will probably read the next one but I need a little break first.
This book has a lot of really great aspects. Gray's magic is quite interesting and she's only just beginning to discover what she is capable of.
Gray herself is a very sympathetic and realistic character who has been though a lot, has her walls up and doesn't easily let others in. Yet she still tries to protect strangers when they need help and world do anything for those she loves. She's tough, resilient and vulnerable at the same time and despite all the tragedies she's had to endure, she remains kind, hopeful and understanding.
I also appreciate that although she is an incredibly powerful witch, she has a very realistic struggle with learning how to use and control her magic after turning her back on it for almost a decade. She works hard to improve but it's a slow process. The same is true of her fighting skills. She wants to be able to protect herself but she doesn't become this kick ass fighter after 2 lessons. Instead, she mostly gets her butt kicked but she keeps trying.
However, I still felt like something was missing. and I think this book could have gone from a slightly above average paranormal romance to something really special if there had been a few changes.
For one, the bond between Gray and her many love interests needed some more work to really make me care about them together and to justify the lengths Gray was willing to go to in order to save Asher, even at the risk to her own life. Especially since they spend most of their time fighting and getting under each others skin. Not to mention the fact that she hasn't really know him or spent a lot of time with him.
Except for Ronan, most of these relationships are still in the early stages, where they're just getting to know each other and that feels right. I don't want to read about Insta love, but it also means that I'm not yet that invested in their romantic relationships and the sacrifices she's willing to make for all of them feel unwarranted.
I also think a little more back story on Gray and Jonathan's early relationship, showing her falling for him and explaining when and how he found out that she was a witch, and weather or not he struggled with betraying her would have made their reunion more impactful and his betrayal more heartbreaking. But none of that gets explained. Did he always know that she was a witch? Did he ever actually love her or was he using her the whole time?
This also could have benefited from more female friendships, however I like that even though Sophie is gone, she's still a part of the story because Gray still thinks about her and talks to her and relives memories they shared. Sophie's death isn't just used as a plot device to motivate Gray to find her killer and then forgotten about. Sophie remains important to Gray throughout the first 2 books, despite only actually being alive for like one scene in the beginning of the first book.
Overall, this mostly held my attention and was a quick, enjoyable escape. It's definitely not a bad book at all but probably not one that Will stand out in my memory either. I will probably read the next one but I need a little break first.
December 23, 2018
Amazing Series So Far!
If you haven't read the first book in this series please do! This wonderfully written world draws you in and doesn't let you go. Chapter one starts off right after the last book, continuing just a few days after the events of book one.
We get some answers in this installment, but there are still a lot of questions to be answered. It didn't take me long to read the first book, and I devoured this one just as quickly.
Gray and the guys just fit so well together. This is by far my favorite reverse harem series I've read. Even with this being a paranormal series, nothing is 'far fetched'. The romance is there, not exactly a slow burn but its also not just thrust upon the characters in a way thats not believable. By this book Gray is already 'dating' (I use quotes because it's so much more than that!) two of the four men that are protecting her, the same ones from book one. And her relationship with the other two is creating a strong bond that when they finally get together too, its going to be amazing.
*******
Possible spoiler if you haven't read the first book, and definitely spoilers for the second, below.
I really love that Sarah Piper didn't just have Gray become a crazy powerful and all knowing witch. I like that Gray has to work on herself to be able to use her magic. And I love that she's learning to fight physically so she's not at a disadvantage. I love that in this book her grief isn't magically gone and her bestfriend forgotten. And I love that we're actually seeing (ok reading) the characters development and how they deal with their emotions. Example, Asher freaking out on Gray after she's attacked in her realm, and thinks he's helping her by pushing her to far and fast to learn defense; but can't talk to her about his feelings and why he's pushing her so hard. And the ending of this book with them two? Amazing!
Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
If you haven't read the first book in this series please do! This wonderfully written world draws you in and doesn't let you go. Chapter one starts off right after the last book, continuing just a few days after the events of book one.
We get some answers in this installment, but there are still a lot of questions to be answered. It didn't take me long to read the first book, and I devoured this one just as quickly.
Gray and the guys just fit so well together. This is by far my favorite reverse harem series I've read. Even with this being a paranormal series, nothing is 'far fetched'. The romance is there, not exactly a slow burn but its also not just thrust upon the characters in a way thats not believable. By this book Gray is already 'dating' (I use quotes because it's so much more than that!) two of the four men that are protecting her, the same ones from book one. And her relationship with the other two is creating a strong bond that when they finally get together too, its going to be amazing.
*******
Possible spoiler if you haven't read the first book, and definitely spoilers for the second, below.
I really love that Sarah Piper didn't just have Gray become a crazy powerful and all knowing witch. I like that Gray has to work on herself to be able to use her magic. And I love that she's learning to fight physically so she's not at a disadvantage. I love that in this book her grief isn't magically gone and her bestfriend forgotten. And I love that we're actually seeing (ok reading) the characters development and how they deal with their emotions. Example, Asher freaking out on Gray after she's attacked in her realm, and thinks he's helping her by pushing her to far and fast to learn defense; but can't talk to her about his feelings and why he's pushing her so hard. And the ending of this book with them two? Amazing!
Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2018
So tense, so magical, so amazing!!!
I don't know how to formulate words very well right now. Gray stole my breath, and her story stole my heart. I am continually surprised and so moved by this magical telling. I was so looking forward to this sequel, and I didn't want it to end, so I lingered in the story as long as I could. I knew I would be shattered completely by the end, and I am! Sarah, I am in love with your world! And Asher? My dear, sweet, smarmy, pain ridden Asher?! Ugh, I love his smart mouth! The mystery started in the first story gave rise to a deeper, more twisted plot in this one. I got answers, but not always the ones I wanted, and it finished with such a climactic ending! Wow! In this story, a broken girl slowly becomes a confident woman, open to love and open to her inner strength and magic! I loved seeing Gray's progression throughout the story and the foundations of a beautiful family in the men. All the pain in the past and in the present only enriches these characters and deepens their commitment to each other, and a resolution to their plight. Oh, but I feel like I know even less than I did at the start of their journey. There is still so much hanging in the balance, so many unknowns, and more sinister plots to come! Such a beautiful, taunting ending, but it only makes me crave the next stop on this journey even more. Gray trusts in the cards and what they say about her past, present, and future, so I too will trust in the path and believe that this isn't the end. These characters deserve their happiness and a chance to live their fullest lives. I believe it will happen, but the journey is long and there is still so much to discover. I cannot wait for the next book so I may dive back into Gray's realm! Such an amazing job! So worth the heartache! It would be a grave mistake to miss this series, read it!!!
I don't know how to formulate words very well right now. Gray stole my breath, and her story stole my heart. I am continually surprised and so moved by this magical telling. I was so looking forward to this sequel, and I didn't want it to end, so I lingered in the story as long as I could. I knew I would be shattered completely by the end, and I am! Sarah, I am in love with your world! And Asher? My dear, sweet, smarmy, pain ridden Asher?! Ugh, I love his smart mouth! The mystery started in the first story gave rise to a deeper, more twisted plot in this one. I got answers, but not always the ones I wanted, and it finished with such a climactic ending! Wow! In this story, a broken girl slowly becomes a confident woman, open to love and open to her inner strength and magic! I loved seeing Gray's progression throughout the story and the foundations of a beautiful family in the men. All the pain in the past and in the present only enriches these characters and deepens their commitment to each other, and a resolution to their plight. Oh, but I feel like I know even less than I did at the start of their journey. There is still so much hanging in the balance, so many unknowns, and more sinister plots to come! Such a beautiful, taunting ending, but it only makes me crave the next stop on this journey even more. Gray trusts in the cards and what they say about her past, present, and future, so I too will trust in the path and believe that this isn't the end. These characters deserve their happiness and a chance to live their fullest lives. I believe it will happen, but the journey is long and there is still so much to discover. I cannot wait for the next book so I may dive back into Gray's realm! Such an amazing job! So worth the heartache! It would be a grave mistake to miss this series, read it!!!
December 20, 2018
Yesterday I wrote that I would return for round 2, and wouldn't you know it? Here I am at the end of it already.
Things have seriously heated up for our girl Gray. I mean to say things have really taken a downturn for her in almost every aspect of her life. Except of course for her love life. She's definitely not suffering there.
Best friend gone, removed from house and home? Let's not forget the fact that Asher is so incredibly under her skin that it's driving her up the wall. That jerk. Giving her the hard truths of life.
The second book in the series takes a step back in the sense that while it's a personal issue, the hunter that is, it's also so much more than that. Witches are disappearing at an alarming rate, and despite Emilio's, ahem Detective Alvarez's best efforts, supernatural crime has spiked, and not even Darius's good vampire name and authority can keep shit locked down.
Can you smell trouble? I sure can.
With the men doing their best to train her to learn how to take a punch, and Death/Liam helping her hone in on her creepy-as-f necromancing abilities in an attempt to take that red-haired psychopath down a peg, Gray still finds time to satisfy those witchy little, uh, desires of hers, multiple times, with multiple men.
Really though, while it's not a five-star read for me, I still really enjoyed the second title in the series. They're the entertaining reads that will make whatever stretch of time you need to pass go by in a blur.
Same time tomorrow for review of the third installment? Eh, maybe. I've been putting off some Christmas shopping and I'm running dangerously out of time. But yeah, there's a good chance I'll have at least made some progress towards getting around to another review.
Four stars for an entertaining, somewhat-steamy, necromancing dark-filled good time of a read.
Things have seriously heated up for our girl Gray. I mean to say things have really taken a downturn for her in almost every aspect of her life. Except of course for her love life. She's definitely not suffering there.
Best friend gone, removed from house and home? Let's not forget the fact that Asher is so incredibly under her skin that it's driving her up the wall. That jerk. Giving her the hard truths of life.
The second book in the series takes a step back in the sense that while it's a personal issue, the hunter that is, it's also so much more than that. Witches are disappearing at an alarming rate, and despite Emilio's, ahem Detective Alvarez's best efforts, supernatural crime has spiked, and not even Darius's good vampire name and authority can keep shit locked down.
Can you smell trouble? I sure can.
With the men doing their best to train her to learn how to take a punch, and Death/Liam helping her hone in on her creepy-as-f necromancing abilities in an attempt to take that red-haired psychopath down a peg, Gray still finds time to satisfy those witchy little, uh, desires of hers, multiple times, with multiple men.
Really though, while it's not a five-star read for me, I still really enjoyed the second title in the series. They're the entertaining reads that will make whatever stretch of time you need to pass go by in a blur.
Same time tomorrow for review of the third installment? Eh, maybe. I've been putting off some Christmas shopping and I'm running dangerously out of time. But yeah, there's a good chance I'll have at least made some progress towards getting around to another review.
Four stars for an entertaining, somewhat-steamy, necromancing dark-filled good time of a read.
June 9, 2019
Darker & An Emotional Storm Warning!!😳🔥💘💀
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
This was another gripping read in this emotive, magical & steamy thriller!👍
Gray & the guy's head to the safe house that Asher had set up previously for them. They need to regroup, heal & plan their next steps!! Ronan, Darius & Emillio stay in the Bay to clean up everything that occurred at the Coven leaders house when they rescued Asher. Unfortunately they don't find any additional clues 😔
That night, in bed, Ronan broaches the topic of her with the other guys. She's embarrassed but admits to finding them all attractive & having a special connection that they'd started to explore, with Darius!🙈 Ronan tells her loves her & just wants her to be happy as long as he's her #1, it's said in jest 😃😍 Darius then knocks on the door and ends up joining them in bed - at last!!🔥💘🔥 I'd still like more romance mixed in with this compelling story though - I'm greedy. Lol
Liam/Death arrives to train Gray in her magic. Things initially go well until he's blown apart & out of her magical realm, he has no idea how that's even possible!!😱 When she emerges from her shield & explains what happened the news is dire.👀😭
Bad news, bad luck & heart breaking situations keep piling up on them all. Gray's pain is even starting to physically effect Liam.😳💀 The entire Supernatural community seems to be affected by the imbalance the loss of the Witches is causing - Is the Council going to step in??
The end of this book had me screaming "NOooo" in my head!!🙈🙏😭 I'll be starting book #3 straight away, I NEED to know!!😱🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
This was another gripping read in this emotive, magical & steamy thriller!👍
Gray & the guy's head to the safe house that Asher had set up previously for them. They need to regroup, heal & plan their next steps!! Ronan, Darius & Emillio stay in the Bay to clean up everything that occurred at the Coven leaders house when they rescued Asher. Unfortunately they don't find any additional clues 😔
That night, in bed, Ronan broaches the topic of her with the other guys. She's embarrassed but admits to finding them all attractive & having a special connection that they'd started to explore, with Darius!🙈 Ronan tells her loves her & just wants her to be happy as long as he's her #1, it's said in jest 😃😍 Darius then knocks on the door and ends up joining them in bed - at last!!🔥💘🔥 I'd still like more romance mixed in with this compelling story though - I'm greedy. Lol
Liam/Death arrives to train Gray in her magic. Things initially go well until he's blown apart & out of her magical realm, he has no idea how that's even possible!!😱 When she emerges from her shield & explains what happened the news is dire.👀😭
Bad news, bad luck & heart breaking situations keep piling up on them all. Gray's pain is even starting to physically effect Liam.😳💀 The entire Supernatural community seems to be affected by the imbalance the loss of the Witches is causing - Is the Council going to step in??
The end of this book had me screaming "NOooo" in my head!!🙈🙏😭 I'll be starting book #3 straight away, I NEED to know!!😱🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
August 9, 2021
Oh Gray!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another absolutely fantastic part of this series, Gray, Asher, Ronan, Emilio, Darius and Liam really can’t catch a break can they. There were more secrets unraveled and even more betrayals as Gray’s past once again came back to haunt her as they fight to find the Hunter and free Haley, Reva and the other kidnapped witches.
As the book goes on we also get a bit more of an insight to each of the guys’ past, especially Emilio and his family history along with what haunts Asher. Oh sweet Asher how I love him, I’ve realised the majority of things I highlighted throughout the book are things he says or him and Gray’s interactions! He’s so funny but also stubborn and completely broken, in the last book I said I didn’t have a favourite but I definitely have a soft spot for him right now. I also love the personal development that’s going on with Liam aka Death and his feelings towards Gray.
One thing I absolutely loved that the author did in this book with Gray’s character was the realistic outcome of her learning to fight/defend herself in readiness for confronting the Hunter. She wasn’t all of a sudden an instant capable attacker who could defeat all of the guys, instead she was getting gradually stronger and 9 times out of 10 failed in practice but was determined to keep going and that she did. I find some authors do the opposite where they pick it up instantly where they’re this transformed warrior and it just isn’t believable so that was a huge personal bonus point for me!
Oh that ending.. I’m off to download the next book immediately!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another absolutely fantastic part of this series, Gray, Asher, Ronan, Emilio, Darius and Liam really can’t catch a break can they. There were more secrets unraveled and even more betrayals as Gray’s past once again came back to haunt her as they fight to find the Hunter and free Haley, Reva and the other kidnapped witches.
As the book goes on we also get a bit more of an insight to each of the guys’ past, especially Emilio and his family history along with what haunts Asher. Oh sweet Asher how I love him, I’ve realised the majority of things I highlighted throughout the book are things he says or him and Gray’s interactions! He’s so funny but also stubborn and completely broken, in the last book I said I didn’t have a favourite but I definitely have a soft spot for him right now. I also love the personal development that’s going on with Liam aka Death and his feelings towards Gray.
One thing I absolutely loved that the author did in this book with Gray’s character was the realistic outcome of her learning to fight/defend herself in readiness for confronting the Hunter. She wasn’t all of a sudden an instant capable attacker who could defeat all of the guys, instead she was getting gradually stronger and 9 times out of 10 failed in practice but was determined to keep going and that she did. I find some authors do the opposite where they pick it up instantly where they’re this transformed warrior and it just isn’t believable so that was a huge personal bonus point for me!
Oh that ending.. I’m off to download the next book immediately!
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