I read an ARC copy of this book for a review. All opinions in this review are mine.
They say people should fear the reaper who comes for you in the middle of the night. They obviously haven’t seen this one, cuz there is no way not to feel more than a little excitement and heat for this hottie. Fear yes, but if I need to die, than dying in this reapers bed is the perfect way to go.
I have to say, I am not as up to date on all of Donna Grant’s books, and the start of this one did make me feel a little lost, but the feeling wasn’t bad enough to make me stop reading, and I am so glad it didn’t. Our story starts with Bradach contemplating just how much things have changed. This sounds like such a slow start, but I really loved how much this showcased his acceptance and contentment with his world and the way his life is, while still highlighting a loneliness he wasn’t even aware of. He is soon approached by his general and assigned a mission to work alongside the dark Fae to defeat a common enemy. This is a job he does not in any way want to do. Given his past, I do not blame him. What he doesn’t expect is the instantaneous overwhelming attraction he feels for the woman he is working with. Will they be able to bring down the evil they all are threatened by and find a path that ends with them together, or will their mixed passions wind up making this reaper take the soul of the one who stole his heart?
Wow, wow, wow. I loved this book. Bradach is such a deep and complex character that I couldn’t help but be drawn to. At first, I felt his quick judgement of the dark Fae was a little on the closed minded jerk side. This had me worried he would spend the entire book fighting with his emotions towards the heroine, Maeve, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The amount of passion that just spills out of Bradach and off the page is amazingly well done. Maeve has a gorgeous body, and while Bradach is acutely aware of her beauty, what attracts his attention the most is her personality. I always like it when a character looks past the superficial aspects of their significant other and see the beauty of who and what they are first and foremost. I really liked just how much respect he has for Maeve right from the start, and how that is what seems to make her beauty really pop to him.
When it comes to a past that colors a characters opinions of an entire group of people, I find that the reason behind it falls a little weak, however Bradach’s past was spot on with the way in which he feels towards the dark Fae. Honestly, Bradach’s story utterly broke my heart. If I had been in his shoes I would have felt the exact same way. I also want to mention that the way in which his past comes out is simply amazing. The moment is both heartbreaking and so loving at the same time. It is such an important scene for the couple and has so many feels. This aspect of the story was masterfully done and a scene I will not soon forget.
I also really enjoyed Maeve. She does not have the darkest past, but she has a lot of secrets that really deepens the story and makes her character so relatable. I really loved the big secret she has about herself and who she really is. I think we all have aspects of ourselves that we feel we need to hide in order to survive in the world we find ourselves in. Seeing that come out in the way that it did was amazing and really solidified an emotional connected to her for me.
Maeve is one of the most powerful dark Fae. She has all the societal power and titles anyone could ever want along with the magical ability and physical strength to back it up, but she doesn’t let that all go to her head. I really liked just how down to earth she was about her limitations and abilities as well as her sensibility regarding the power of others. Confidence in a character is always nice, but I also love it when the characters are more grounded and can see when others shine.
I really love how this couple grows individually thanks to their relationship and how that in turn helps grow their love for each other. The love between these two is is nothing short of amazing. There are times the intensity of their passion frightens them, but the way they handle the situations is truly heartwarming.
While I will say I found that this book should not be read before the others in the Reaper series, it was still a very enjoyable read. The story was so enjoyable and engaging that I am really looking forward to seeing how the story turns out.
Overall:
Dark Alpha’s Redemption is the 8th book in the reader series and can be a bit confusing if it is read before the others in my opinion, but the characters are amazingly engaging and their personal stories are so well done. The overall story is very intriguing and I am excited to see how things turn out.
Would I Recommend It:
If you haven’t read the other books in the series, I would have to say read the others first, but the book is a really enjoyable read and shouldn’t be missed.