Darkbirth

Darklight #6

by Bella Forrest

Continue the journey in DARKBIRTH.

Pre-order now.

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts.*

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Fiction, Romance, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy

Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2020

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[debturk1970_bookvibes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, That Felt Endless!!😔 2.5 Disappointing Stars 🌟
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Darkbirth: Darklight #6

Lyra, Dorian & Gatekeeper left in the middle of a huge battle, Lyra & Dorian were bound by a magical pact so had no choice!! Gatekeeper has brought them to his original home realm, the Higher Plane!😲 So we now know there are 3 planes of existence - the Mortal plane where Humans exist, Immortal plane where Vampires etc are from & now the Higher plane, so who lives here? Well they're known as Arbiters, that's what the Gatekeeper is too!!😱 Their entire existence was to create beings & keep the light & dark in balance throughout all of time! However they felt they'd created the perfect system & weren't needed anymore so separated their plane from the other two & have carried on without a care for millennia!!😡

They're fuming that Ruk (gatekeeper) abandoned them. He'd disagreed with the separation as the time drew closer & he continued making friends with the beings they'd created. Arbiters felt their creations were too far beneath them. He stayed in the Immortal plane after completing the separation for them. They punished him after he made a brief return to the Higher plane to try & save a wildling friend, they crippled his ability to gain power!😔 So on his return with Lyra & Dorian all they care about is him repaying his debt, which is in power, which he's mostly cut off from by them!!😔😡 They refuse to listen to the lesser/lower beings that he's brought with him & feel zero responsibility for the tear or the billions of lives that will be lost!!😱💔

I found the majority of this book to be extremely boring!!😲 The higher plane is all grey as is this storyline!🙈 It took days for me to trudge my way through it & I only did it because the Kindle Store implied book #7 would be the final book - Yay!!🎉 You know when it says book 6 of 7, Well that was there when I downloaded book 6, but upon checking as I'm writing my review that's been changed!!😠 Why I'm surprised I don't know, this Author constantly has us reading drivel in between some seriously good books in her series, it's so aggravating & upsetting!!💔😭 I will read book #7 but if that isn't the final one then I'm completely done with this series & Author!!👎😔😡

So we do learn about the curse & how it came to be, the tear & more. We also learn that many Arbiters are pompous, self righteous & smug gits that can't be bothered to fix their own mistakes but then some of them are nice!!👍🙏 The worst of them are truly vile though!!😡😔 I honestly can not recommend this book, if you think you can skip it & catch up in book #7, I'd do that!👍

Debbie, 1970, UK

[R · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series is really becoming a headache. Book 2 was awful and took 80% of waffle before anything actually happened. The last 2 books were ok, with a lot of progression on the war between the worlds and interesting developments on "curing" the curse. This book however - a complete diversion from the storyline for absolutely no reason. No progression to the original story, no advancement to the relationship apart from now they're engaged virgins (a whole book for a confession and a proposal?! Really?!) and the only clue to the curse is that humans/vampires were made that way and it's down to the original creators to remake the bond. Wow. Good job we're in isolation and have time to kill. Skim-read the last 50% of this one and still picked up on the key points that could have been covered in one chapter as part of the last book. If you skip this one, you won't miss anything heading into the last book.

[Elyse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filler book

The only reason I am still reading this series is because I have questions that NEED to be answered. If I didn’t, and wasn’t feeling overwhelmed with the urge to finish - I would not be reading these books anymore. If I knew I wouldn’t feel guilty about it I would skip right to the last book and just learn everything I need there.

Book 1 - I was instantly addicted. I felt it was a refreshing take on vampires that felt more realistic than a vampire that sparkles, can’t see itself in a mirror, or is deathly afraid of garlic. They’re basically human but have some special skills that differentiate them. I can believe in that.
The characters are all lovable. Dorian who has the ability to charm the pants off a snake, Lyra who is a badass fighting machine, Zach the positive comedic relief, Roxy the feisty carefree ginger, Bryce the lethal teddy bear Scot, Laini the gentle angry soul, Rhome the big brother everyone needs, and Kane the dark brooding vampire with more to love (these are just some of the many favorite characters).
The battle scenes are epic. They’re so wickedly written it makes you feel as if you’re standing right in the action.
The mystery of the curse that exists between the budding relationship between Dorian and Lyra.
This is all what helped me move on to:
Book 2 - Felt slow but when the epic scene at the Bureau in the end took place in the conference room and on the roof I was hooked again. Reeled me back in before it lost me so I moved on to:
Book 3 - I have a weakness for anything Scotland so imagine my happiness when I realize they will be living there. Oh wait, it’s short lived. Of course they pick up and go back to the tear in the States. My excitement rose back up when I realized they would be going to the Immortal Plane. This was our chance to get a look into the other side of life. And this is also where I was let down. It instantly felt like we were back at book one just now in a different plane. It felt redundant and it’s where I started losing interest in this series. But by this point I’m too far in and I’ve got these unanswered questions eating away at my brain. So I moved onto:
Book 4 - Where it gained my interest once again. That clever Bella Forrest knowing she’s losing me so she pulls me back from the edge of jumping off the series. This book was actually really good. The sanitarium scenes were the best and I found a new character to love. Which is known as Prisoner One / Gatemaker / Ruk. So now I have more questions and I move onto:
Book 5 - Where once again the book is redundant and it feels like a repeat of book 2. Just a different location, with added characters and new situation. Same dialogue, same issues and same details. I think Bella sometimes forgets her own stories because at this point I have found multiple pieces where her characters say things along the lines of “I’ve never seen that before” or “we never got the chance to discuss this,” but I can easily go back a few chapters or a book to clearly prove them wrong. So I’m stuck reading a long paragraph of something I’ve read before. UGHHHH. So why did I move on to:
Book 6 - I really don’t know. They say the definition of insanity “is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” At this point I deem myself insane. Because that’s honestly what I had to be to get through this book that I am now leaving a review for. This was by far the worst book of the whole series. We really are reading about orbs in light form. There’s no development, no connections and nothing solid to grab onto. Literally. They are in an infinite plane of existence that provides no structural meaning. SIGH. This book has done nothing for my life. It’s provided some relief to my questions but still hasn’t fully answered them.
And so now with obvious frustration I will be moving on to book 7.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. The last couple of books dragged a little bit, but had enough to keep me going. However, this whole book (well, up to 61%) had the 2 main characters on their own little side trip. It dragged on and on, and I just couldn't keep going...

[Kirsten Ensman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lower beings rule

I struggled with this book. In was nothing but someone having tantrums to get his own way. It was ridiculous. I really wanted to see him get what was coming to him. He is so much like irrikus. Really how long can someone owe a debt. Can it really take that long to punish someone. Lyra and her attitude with the proxy's was a bit much. Would she really fight for robots because that's how I thought of proxy's? Ok Jia seemed to change which I did not understand. I guess if you look at the upper level as the ultra rich who think they are above everyone and could care less about others than they were spot on. Rich snobs or gods who could only do what they want when they want it. Yes this books deals with society in a way. Not really sure why the title is called darkbirth. May your world be peaceful!

[The Casual Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve loved the series so far but this book was kind of annoying.

So first, Ruk (Gate Maker) tricks them they get trapped in the Higher Plane ruin the Games. The arbiters (I’m pretty sure they’re robots) ignore them until they ruin the Games. They then get their own games and win except that Un thinks they cheated. They then play again and win. Un admits to stealing Aurora, helps them a little bit and then they start planning their way to help their friends. The book ends and the other one begins.

This several hundred page book took forever to say what could’ve been said in a few chapters. Oh Lyra and Dorian also got engaged and learned that the curse was created by arbiters. That’s literally everything that happened. Well, except for meeting Jia and seeing Lanzon’s soul. This book felt like it dragged on and on.

Also since when does Dorian have a mustache? Look at the cover.

[Melanie Chatterley · Rating 1 out of 5]

15% through and I can’t go on. It took until book 5 to finally start to peek my interest but the main problems remain.
-Terrible dialogue
-Absolutely no character development
-Story line is being stretching very very thin
-Action scenes are absent of real action just graphic
-Lyra’s need to always “talk to some about this” is really boring, just being in her heard is terrible
-The tangent story with the gatekeeper is boring and painful
-dialogue of characters is awkward and personalities are inconsistent
I’ve left Lyra and Dorian wandering aimlessly around the higher plane trying to find a way out, I just can’t continue. I’ve only made it this far due to the others being so good, so disappointing!

[Sherri Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many details

When the first book came out I loved it the story was getting very I treating them as the story progressive each book continues with more and more details of a storyline that basically has nothing to do with the main characters characters get lost in the shuffle this book dark birth was nothing what I thought it was going to be yes that's my fault for thinking it was something it's not but I can't read anymore because this is my last one was too many details in the story can't get back to the storyline the main characters of the book have to be the star of the show

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF....Finally lost interest in this story, primarily due to the G rated romance story line, which seemed at odds with the level of violence. The author has no problem describing the decapitation of an enemy in detail during battle, but when it comes to the romance storyline, it’s like 2 awkward preteens in Victorian times. This coming from 2 mature adults who are both leaders within their respective groups. So utterly unbelievable that I eventually disengaged from the entire story (right in the middle of yet another harrowing battle). I imagine the main characters will share an endearing high five in celebration, assuming they both survive.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I have loved Dorian and Lyra' story on every plain of existence. They seem to conquer each and everything in their path (except the curse so far). The higher plain was an interesting addition and honestly a situation I didn't think they would easily find a way out of.

I really liked the addition of the new characters, maybe not some of the arbiters and their proxies but most. Specifically Jai and Ruk. Jai totally stole my heart . Ruk is a definite slow burner but he gets there too.

The story had me chomping to find out what was going to happen next and hoping that a certain Un got his just desserts.

[BookwormMomma7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising and enlightening.

Lyra and Dorian’s adventure continue and now they find themselves in a new place where Gate Maker has taken them and where the new beings have no regard for them as they are considered lower beings.
This book explains the Mortal, Immortal and new location , why they were created and why there is a curse on the Vampires that keeps them from interspecies romance. All is revealed but more question abound and there is more risk to their lives trying to get back home.

Off to read book 7.

[Tequila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book and hoped I would be okay without reading this book. But I decided to give it a chance and once the action picked up, it was worth the read. I was a bit sad that we didn't get to see what was happening with the others on the Immortal and Mortal Planes, but it was interesting to read how both those planes and their inhabitants came into existence. I found myself very attached to Jia, which I did not expect to happen and the ending gutted me because of this attachment. This adds a whole nother layer to the current story and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Amina Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series, but I have to say this one was a little slow to start off with. Nothing of consequence really happened in the first few chapters. I have to admit it made me impatient, but it picked up later and the first few chapters aside, I enjoyed the rest of the book and can't wait to read the next one! Ps. Un is one arrogant arbiter...Without giving anything away, I'm glad Lyra managed to knock him down a peg!

[Jeanne Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting developments...

I've been thoroughly enjoying this series and anxiously awaited this latest book. As usual, Bella did not disappoint! It still marvels me what she is able to think of in developing this story! Her imagination in the fantasy realm is so descriptive and out there, pulling you into the story. Now I'll be anxiously waiting once again for the next segment of the Darklight saga!

[Jasmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word!!

This book, book #6, was kind of hard to get into at first. I kept skipping over large portions until about half way through, then it started getting real interesting. Not going to give any details away but, there was a question asked that totally BLEW my mind! I had absolutely no idea it was coming. But all in all this book turned out to be just what I was looking forward to.

[Tina Oeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t until the Next one

Though it took me some time to get into this book, it’s was worth it. I couldn’t wait for them to get out of the higher plane. It’s like after everything they have been through, that’s gonna happen. The intense and excitement drove me to the end of the book. I just wish that the higher beings could of done something about the curse. I guess we will find out hopefully in the next book.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional and intense section in this amazing saga, truly made moving on from the last book worth it. I enjoy when an author I am familiar with can keep me guessing on the fate of the characters. So many paths could be taken yet nothing is truly crystal clear. Although some revelations have occurred, there is much left to discover, many answers are still needed and I am definitely enjoying the getting there. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Dorian and lyra's story continues after entering the Higher plane with the gate maker. They don't have a very good reception from the arbiters who live in the plane, being seen as nothing but lower being's. We learn more about what is happening with the tear and more about the curse.
This has to be one of my favourite series. I love Lyra and Dorian and this book didn't disappoint.

[J.C. Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cant make up my mind

There's one book left in this series and I am reserving some judgement until I've read it. This book was interesting. Loved how Lyra & Dorian could manipulate the plane. It proved once more that labelling yourself a superior being doesn't necessarily make you one.

[Sarah Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEVER a DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

Bella seems to be my go to Author for a couple of years now. This is the third series I'm reading now. I like how her main characters in all her books are the foundation and she sticks with them and really builds on her characters from beginning to end.

[Nicole Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have so far loved this action-packed story. However, I feel this book in the series just added more questions, problems, and more bad guys to the story without finally getting some closure on some other things. I would of preferred some solutions be found on the mortal and immortal planes before moving to yet another plane. And I really missed the interaction with the other characters.

[Tricia Gauslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding!

This book did not disappoint! Sometimes a series will get boring, but this one did not! I lived learning about the higher plane and it everything Dorian and Lyra went through. Especially love that Un for what he deserved! So sad they had to kill Jia! I cannot wait for you he next book to come out! What am I going to do till then? Lol!

[Minna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has to be the worst book I have ever read. Took me 4 weeks to read it as kept falling asleep after a page or two.
I skipped 10 or 15 pages often and don't think I missed anything.
Give this book a miss. I'm only carrying on the series because I like to get to the end of things... But this is tough I'm not sure I'm going to make it.

[Stephanie Serrano Hargrove · Rating 3 out of 5]

First as much as I tried my ratio g is 3.5 stars!

I rated this book that way because Lyra and Dorian were stuck in the High Plane. It seemed to go on and on because of the fullness of their surroundings. I hated the endless gray fog a d the arbiters who lived there all cared about themselves which made the feel full and lifeless.

[Jessica Pritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

*Spoilers* I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and great storyline. Loved the rise and fall. Hated the feeling of being muted but loved that reading could create that emotion. I really appreciate that the fates of their friends is uncertain but hate the wait.

[Tracy Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series & this book did not disappoint. Lyra as a heroine is wonderfully capable & skilled. This continuing journey turns up as many questions as it does answers. I cant wait for the next installment.

[Jenae (Jeni) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title is slightly misleading

I am still completely enamoured with this series. Lyra, Dorian, and Ruk are such intense characters. I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.

[Tommie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Higher Plane

Dorian and Lyra's journey continues. They battleground who consider them to be lesser than them and finally convince them to repair the year. Together they are unbeatable

[Sherri Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable great reading

Wow! I can't wait to see what will happen next for Dorian and Lyra as they get back to their home and finish their fight and normalcy to their lives especially after what they went through on Ruk's dimension.

[Kelli D Whitla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I love how the universe is a character in this book. The gate makers story is so sad and his kin are selfish and evil! Love the ending and can't wait for them to take back the Immortal world!