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Guardians of Camelot #3
The Darkest Knight
Destined to be together.
Kay of Isca knows Charles St. John is his fated soul mate, but between battle, duty, and saving the world, staying in the same reality, never mind the same bed, is proving a bit more of a challenge than either stubborn man will admit.
The malicious armies of Morgan le Fay are gathering, and the chance that one of their friends has already been lost to evil is a real possibility too terrifying to contemplate.
Nothing is ever as it seems, but unless Kay can unravel the vile plans centuries in the making, they won’t just die before they get a chance to love.
They’ll die before they get a chance to live.
Kay of Isca knows Charles St. John is his fated soul mate, but between battle, duty, and saving the world, staying in the same reality, never mind the same bed, is proving a bit more of a challenge than either stubborn man will admit.
The malicious armies of Morgan le Fay are gathering, and the chance that one of their friends has already been lost to evil is a real possibility too terrifying to contemplate.
Nothing is ever as it seems, but unless Kay can unravel the vile plans centuries in the making, they won’t just die before they get a chance to love.
They’ll die before they get a chance to live.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2020
43 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Sue
118 books1,018 followersBullets and Babies!
Victoria writes about guys loving other guys in between dodging bullets, kidnappers, and serial killers. She enjoys putting them through hell to get their happy ever after—it’s a character flaw she embraces.
She also believes that family is who you choose, that dogs are often much wiser than human beings, and that we’re steadily destroying the world we live in.
And if people read more books, they'd be much happier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 30, 2021
Audiobook: ***5 what-else? Stars***
Story: ***4 I'm-still-lost-but-liked-it-the-most-so-far Stars***
Story: ***4 I'm-still-lost-but-liked-it-the-most-so-far Stars***
November 3, 2020
This Arthurian mythology with a twist is very clever
As an Arthurian mythology nerd, this series from Victoria Sue has been an absolute delight as she's taken the common legends and given them new twists.
In this latest entry of her Guardians of Camelot series she gives us Kay's story. No longer the foster brother of Arthur, instead he's an unwanted son discarded by a cruel man.
His Tresor (fated mate and the other half of his soul) is Charles, the Knights Hospitaller we met in book two.
But all is not well as Charles has a calling he's not willing to give up and Kay's heart is broken just as the threat from Morgan intensifies.
I have much love for Charles as he is a character that I have a vested interest in (see the dedication in book two 😉) so I couldn't wait to see how this played out.
I was not disappointed. In fact, I was surprised by the very clever twist in the narrative that I only worked out seconds before it happened.
This is a spoiler free review, so I'll just say this book will take you on a heart-thumping journey into the past, into secrets and lies and right to the centre of evil.
It will have you almost crying with laughter while your heart is being torn in two.
Ultimately, it will give you all the thrills you'd ever want from an urban fantasy paranormal mix and it sets up the final battlefield to be fought over in book four beautifully.
There is one particular scene which I think most readers will miss, but I saw it and I just say "bravo Victoria Sue" because the mythos surrounding this thing is ripe for the reinvention that is the hallmark of the series.
I'm so excited for book four!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
As an Arthurian mythology nerd, this series from Victoria Sue has been an absolute delight as she's taken the common legends and given them new twists.
In this latest entry of her Guardians of Camelot series she gives us Kay's story. No longer the foster brother of Arthur, instead he's an unwanted son discarded by a cruel man.
His Tresor (fated mate and the other half of his soul) is Charles, the Knights Hospitaller we met in book two.
But all is not well as Charles has a calling he's not willing to give up and Kay's heart is broken just as the threat from Morgan intensifies.
I have much love for Charles as he is a character that I have a vested interest in (see the dedication in book two 😉) so I couldn't wait to see how this played out.
I was not disappointed. In fact, I was surprised by the very clever twist in the narrative that I only worked out seconds before it happened.
This is a spoiler free review, so I'll just say this book will take you on a heart-thumping journey into the past, into secrets and lies and right to the centre of evil.
It will have you almost crying with laughter while your heart is being torn in two.
Ultimately, it will give you all the thrills you'd ever want from an urban fantasy paranormal mix and it sets up the final battlefield to be fought over in book four beautifully.
There is one particular scene which I think most readers will miss, but I saw it and I just say "bravo Victoria Sue" because the mythos surrounding this thing is ripe for the reinvention that is the hallmark of the series.
I'm so excited for book four!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
November 12, 2020
4.5 stars. Not my favorite of the series but the story is just as captivating as all the others before. So much happens here and it's clear that the reckoning we've been waiting for *both the readers and the knights* is coming closer. But for me, the romance between Kay and Charles just wasn't as intense as in the previous books, I didn't feel that connection between them. As characters though, they were just as amazing as they've been throughout the whole series, with all the bravery, heart and devotion to each other and to their cause that is the soul of the story. ❤️
And now the inevitable question, where's the next book??
And now the inevitable question, where's the next book??
Currently reading
October 26, 2020Now edited!
Chapter One
“Nothing?”
Kay shook his head as Lance sat down next to him in the office while he was watching Gawain’s fingers fly over the keyboard. He knew what Lance was asking, and he didn’t attempt to hide his confusion or his desolation. It had been six months and seemed at least as many lifetimes since he had seen Charles. He would never have run out of the room if he had known Charles was going to leave without him.
He knew—absolutely knew—Charles was his Tresor. The constant ache in his gut, the feeling of despair, the feeling that part of you was missing. He just didn’t understand how it was possible. Tresors were mortal. They all knew that, and especially in Charles’s case, his life wasn’t his own. He had made that abundantly clear, even if Kay didn’t understand it. Had it all been a cruel dream? Finally, to have someone to ease his loneliness, warm the chill of despair that sometimes seeped so far in his bones he felt as if his life were some frozen masquerade, playing out for Morgan’s entertainment? It could be argued that Kay’s life—all their lives—weren’t their own, but Kay made that choice every day. Every day when he strapped on his sword and went out to fight, it was still his decision. Charles had insisted he had no choice.
Maybe I’m just not enough temptation to look for one.
“Have you found anything new?” Lance addressed Gawain.
“Nothing much other than what Charles already told us,” Gawain said in frustration. “The Hospitallers were not founded until the early eleventh century some six hundred years after the events at Camlaan. They were founded to give aid to pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.”
“I thought they were a military order?” Lance asked.
“They became military during the Crusades, spent a few hundred years moving all over the Americas and then Europe before settling in Malta. They varied between policing much of Europe and behaving like pirates.”
“I’ve certainly never come across any that seemed to have unnatural abilities,” Lance confirmed and glanced at Kay.
“I’ve met them a few times over the years but none that ever seemed to have the abilities Charles has, and certainly none that ever gave me the impression they had lived more than one lifetime. The ones I met were in the various hospitals I have given aid to.” Because at one time Kay had dreamed of being a doctor. But that dream had been taken from him as well.
“You spent some time in Jerusalem.” Lance nudged Gawain. “While I was in France.”
“I missed you by a few weeks,” Gawain said. “The monks spoke of a healer who never forgot anything. They said he had been sent by God, but the devil sent unseen monsters to drive him out. I guessed—hoped—they meant you.”
He had been there months and was just beginning to hope he could find somewhere to use his knowledge, but the Ursus had come one night and nearly destroyed the building in trying to kill him. Kay had to leave without the chance to say goodbye to his patients.
It seemed he always had to say goodbye.
Kay knew he had to move, to do something, just as Mel came in and flopped down. “I’m starving,” he said dramatically. Lance chuckled and in one move plucked him bodily from his chair and onto his lap. Mel nuzzled his neck, and Kay had to look away as a flare of jealousy ripped through him. Gawain huffed and pushed himself away from the screen.
“It’s my turn. Pizza?”
Kay wrinkled his nose. Charles had been a good cook as well.
“Or I can make spaghetti,” Gawain offered with even less enthusiasm.
He studied the other knights as one by one they all trooped despondently into the large kitchen. They hadn’t had a break on any night for the last six months either, even though they hadn’t seen large numbers. The Ursus had just kept coming, and it seemed no matter how many they killed, they would always be back the next night.
“Have you thought any more about leaving the city?” Gawain asked Lance as they walked into the kitchen.
Lance looked bleakly at him. “Mel thinks it wouldn’t make any difference.”
Gawain glanced over at Mel as he thumbed through the menus they kept in a drawer. “You sense something?”
Mel tossed the menus aside and looked at Gawain with troubled eyes. “We need to stay here.”
Kay agreed. But not for the same reason. Part of a childish rationale he would never freely admit, he was worried Charles would never find him if he wasn’t waiting for him. As if he wouldn’t know where he was.
And he understood Lance’s reluctance. His son had been sighted, and if it were true, if it were really him, there was no way Lance would leave New York, although they had never seen him again either.
“Maybe we don’t all need to go out tonight though,” Lance allowed, and without even looking at Lance, Kay knew he meant him. And for a second he grabbed at the excuse with both hands, knowing every day was getting to be more of an effort, but he couldn’t. The Ursus hadn’t let up for one night, and the thought Morgan was clearly getting stronger to enable this was even worse. They heard the door open and close, boots stamping, and they all glanced at the kitchen door as Ali breezed in followed by Tom and Lucan. She was laughing, her head thrown back in amusement as Tom grinned at some shared joke. It would be simpler if Ali were his. He loved Ali like he loved the rest of them. She was as Mel liked to say a “badass” but unfortunately not his.
Ali’s eyes unerringly found his as if she knew where his thoughts were, and her warm assessing gaze swept him up and down. “I could eat a horse,” she said bluntly.
“We were just deciding on pizza,” Gawain offered and strode to where Mel had tossed the menus.
But Kay wasn’t hungry. He turned, frustrated with himself and angry with everything else, and headed to the door.
“Kay?” It was Lance, and he paused in the hallway.
“I can’t,” he bit out. He couldn’t pretend everything was all right when it wasn’t.
“He’s your Tresor,” Lance said bluntly, the conviction ringing through every syllable. “He will be back.”
“How do you know?” Kay whispered.
“Because you told me. That day we went to see Tom’s mother at the church.” Kay instantly ran through their exact conversation.
“How is it possible to know I’ve never met him but at the same time have him feel so familiar?”
Lance nodded as if he had spoken aloud.
“But what if I’m wrong?”
“I don’t think you are,” Lance said after a moment, “but if you are, then your Tresor will be on his or her way, and you don’t have to worry.”
Kay paused and considered what Lance was saying.
“But how can he be mine when he aids others?” He wasn’t here. Charles had told them that was his life. He was shown his “light” as he had described it, or his charge. He had been responsible for bringing Tom safely to adulthood, or at the very least to Lucan. It was only when Tom’s life was threatened again did he reappear, but the last time he had known he was done. Now he was off saving someone else.
“I know it seems like we have been waiting. Night after night we don’t seem any further forward, but things are changing. Mel—Merlin—coming back to us has changed everything.” Lance clasped Kay’s shoulder. “We are nearing the final battle, and to do that Charles will be at your side—”
“And after?” Kay asked bitterly. He would be tossed aside again, and that was assuming they won.
Lance gazed at him. “You have a family that wants you now.”
Did he? Or did they just want what he represented. Kay shrugged. “I’m going for a drive. Let me know where to meet and who will be my babysitter.”
Kay walked outside, not giving Lance a chance to reply, and headed for his truck. He knew the others watched out for him in some ways more than Tom or Mel. It had never been spoken, but he didn’t fight on his own.
Maybe I should?
Would it bring Charles to him? He didn’t want to die. He wasn’t suicidal, just tired. Drained. So many deaths, so many pointless deaths, and he could remember every one. He drove aimlessly as the shadows in the city lengthened, but then he wasn’t surprised to see Prospect Park ahead of him. He knew what today was, and why his subconscious had brought him here. Fifty years since he’d seen a young girl beaten by her asshole of a pimp in the days when the only people who visited the park were looking for other highs than playing tennis and taking kids boating. She’d approached him as he had patrolled, and trying to turn her down kindly had been difficult when she hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer. He was just going to give her some money anyway when he had heard the cry of the beasts and had run to find them.
He’d come back later after killing one to make sure the park was safe before they went home and heard her. He’d heard the desperate cry cut off with a fist, and worse seen the pulp left of her young face when she was no longer making a noise. If he hadn’t known it was her, the only way to tell would have been the tattoo on her neck he had recognized. At least she wasn’t dead, and Kay had lingered until the ambulance arrived.
He’d come very close to killing a human that day. Apparently, she had failed to fill her quota.
He answered his cell phone as he stopped the truck. “Meet Lucan at the south entrance to the park. He’s on his way.” He jerked at the terse instruction from Mel and realized the sun had set. His amulet flashed, the blue of the stones turning darker to indicate the Ursus’s presence. Kay’s breath caught. The wooded areas and the playgrounds would be closed. There would still be a lot of people in the park, but he was close enough to the Lincoln Road entrance to miss most of the people leaving the other way.
He heard them as soon as he got out of the truck and started running. What sort of a sick coincidence had brought him here on this day?
He smelled the Ursus before he saw it and followed the screams, except these came from a human throat. He drew his sword as the Ursus turned and dropped the woman that it was holding, raising its sword and roaring its anger to the heavens.
Except it didn’t sound like anger. It sounded like triumph.
Kay drew his sword as he had done what seemed like every second of a million lifetimes, but just as he was going to slash it down, the Ursus changed. And for an interminable second, Kay halted, not believing what he was seeing. It wasn’t the face of the Ursus he was looking at. Black eyes like chips of smooth glass lightened and stared back, became human even as Kay gazed in disbelief. He could see sickened fear in the haunted gaze, the confusion and the terror. As the woman held up a hand as if to ward off the blow from Kay’s sword, he saw the bruises and the sagging skin hung from too gaunt a frame. The cart she pushed with her worldly goods in had turned over, and the smell of rotting food and paper hit Kay in a rush, and he lowered his sword in utter shame.
“I—” But the words—any words—caught in his throat. Silence seemed to weigh down his world. There were no cries of the beasts; his heart that had pounded in his ears fell to a mere whisper that fluttered against his ribs. His sorrow, his shame, had no noise. “I won’t hurt you.” He reached out with his empty hand just as she was brave enough to look up.
For a second he looked at too wasted a life. The red-rimmed eyes, the hair that had once been long which now seemed to lie in clumps, but as he watched, she brought her hand up to her throat and traced the tattoo on her throat. The triquetra symbol. The Celtic trinity. He stared in disbelief as recognition slammed into him. It was the girl from fifty years ago. Impossible. But his eyes shot to meet hers as she suddenly smiled and her green eyes that had been full of tears bled to black. Her mouth—thin red lips—parted as if ready to utter kind words, but the sound that came from them chilled his soul. The song of the beasts, too harsh to come from a human throat, slid into his mind like poison and held him still. She rose defiantly, all sense of infirmity gone, the cry on her lips and a sword in her hand, and as she raised it, Kay knew he was going to die. He didn’t understand, but bewilderment was little comfort and no explanation. He didn’t even have the ability to close his eyes as the sword came hurtling down.
And then sword met sword in a shriek of metal defiant enough to stop the cry from her lips, except it wasn’t his sword, and Charles cut through the woman as if she were nothing.
Silence. The dust blew away on the breeze, taking the woman and what seemed little sanity he had as if it had all been a fantasy.
Or maybe his sanity was the worse illusion of all.
Chapter One
“Nothing?”
Kay shook his head as Lance sat down next to him in the office while he was watching Gawain’s fingers fly over the keyboard. He knew what Lance was asking, and he didn’t attempt to hide his confusion or his desolation. It had been six months and seemed at least as many lifetimes since he had seen Charles. He would never have run out of the room if he had known Charles was going to leave without him.
He knew—absolutely knew—Charles was his Tresor. The constant ache in his gut, the feeling of despair, the feeling that part of you was missing. He just didn’t understand how it was possible. Tresors were mortal. They all knew that, and especially in Charles’s case, his life wasn’t his own. He had made that abundantly clear, even if Kay didn’t understand it. Had it all been a cruel dream? Finally, to have someone to ease his loneliness, warm the chill of despair that sometimes seeped so far in his bones he felt as if his life were some frozen masquerade, playing out for Morgan’s entertainment? It could be argued that Kay’s life—all their lives—weren’t their own, but Kay made that choice every day. Every day when he strapped on his sword and went out to fight, it was still his decision. Charles had insisted he had no choice.
Maybe I’m just not enough temptation to look for one.
“Have you found anything new?” Lance addressed Gawain.
“Nothing much other than what Charles already told us,” Gawain said in frustration. “The Hospitallers were not founded until the early eleventh century some six hundred years after the events at Camlaan. They were founded to give aid to pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.”
“I thought they were a military order?” Lance asked.
“They became military during the Crusades, spent a few hundred years moving all over the Americas and then Europe before settling in Malta. They varied between policing much of Europe and behaving like pirates.”
“I’ve certainly never come across any that seemed to have unnatural abilities,” Lance confirmed and glanced at Kay.
“I’ve met them a few times over the years but none that ever seemed to have the abilities Charles has, and certainly none that ever gave me the impression they had lived more than one lifetime. The ones I met were in the various hospitals I have given aid to.” Because at one time Kay had dreamed of being a doctor. But that dream had been taken from him as well.
“You spent some time in Jerusalem.” Lance nudged Gawain. “While I was in France.”
“I missed you by a few weeks,” Gawain said. “The monks spoke of a healer who never forgot anything. They said he had been sent by God, but the devil sent unseen monsters to drive him out. I guessed—hoped—they meant you.”
He had been there months and was just beginning to hope he could find somewhere to use his knowledge, but the Ursus had come one night and nearly destroyed the building in trying to kill him. Kay had to leave without the chance to say goodbye to his patients.
It seemed he always had to say goodbye.
Kay knew he had to move, to do something, just as Mel came in and flopped down. “I’m starving,” he said dramatically. Lance chuckled and in one move plucked him bodily from his chair and onto his lap. Mel nuzzled his neck, and Kay had to look away as a flare of jealousy ripped through him. Gawain huffed and pushed himself away from the screen.
“It’s my turn. Pizza?”
Kay wrinkled his nose. Charles had been a good cook as well.
“Or I can make spaghetti,” Gawain offered with even less enthusiasm.
He studied the other knights as one by one they all trooped despondently into the large kitchen. They hadn’t had a break on any night for the last six months either, even though they hadn’t seen large numbers. The Ursus had just kept coming, and it seemed no matter how many they killed, they would always be back the next night.
“Have you thought any more about leaving the city?” Gawain asked Lance as they walked into the kitchen.
Lance looked bleakly at him. “Mel thinks it wouldn’t make any difference.”
Gawain glanced over at Mel as he thumbed through the menus they kept in a drawer. “You sense something?”
Mel tossed the menus aside and looked at Gawain with troubled eyes. “We need to stay here.”
Kay agreed. But not for the same reason. Part of a childish rationale he would never freely admit, he was worried Charles would never find him if he wasn’t waiting for him. As if he wouldn’t know where he was.
And he understood Lance’s reluctance. His son had been sighted, and if it were true, if it were really him, there was no way Lance would leave New York, although they had never seen him again either.
“Maybe we don’t all need to go out tonight though,” Lance allowed, and without even looking at Lance, Kay knew he meant him. And for a second he grabbed at the excuse with both hands, knowing every day was getting to be more of an effort, but he couldn’t. The Ursus hadn’t let up for one night, and the thought Morgan was clearly getting stronger to enable this was even worse. They heard the door open and close, boots stamping, and they all glanced at the kitchen door as Ali breezed in followed by Tom and Lucan. She was laughing, her head thrown back in amusement as Tom grinned at some shared joke. It would be simpler if Ali were his. He loved Ali like he loved the rest of them. She was as Mel liked to say a “badass” but unfortunately not his.
Ali’s eyes unerringly found his as if she knew where his thoughts were, and her warm assessing gaze swept him up and down. “I could eat a horse,” she said bluntly.
“We were just deciding on pizza,” Gawain offered and strode to where Mel had tossed the menus.
But Kay wasn’t hungry. He turned, frustrated with himself and angry with everything else, and headed to the door.
“Kay?” It was Lance, and he paused in the hallway.
“I can’t,” he bit out. He couldn’t pretend everything was all right when it wasn’t.
“He’s your Tresor,” Lance said bluntly, the conviction ringing through every syllable. “He will be back.”
“How do you know?” Kay whispered.
“Because you told me. That day we went to see Tom’s mother at the church.” Kay instantly ran through their exact conversation.
“How is it possible to know I’ve never met him but at the same time have him feel so familiar?”
Lance nodded as if he had spoken aloud.
“But what if I’m wrong?”
“I don’t think you are,” Lance said after a moment, “but if you are, then your Tresor will be on his or her way, and you don’t have to worry.”
Kay paused and considered what Lance was saying.
“But how can he be mine when he aids others?” He wasn’t here. Charles had told them that was his life. He was shown his “light” as he had described it, or his charge. He had been responsible for bringing Tom safely to adulthood, or at the very least to Lucan. It was only when Tom’s life was threatened again did he reappear, but the last time he had known he was done. Now he was off saving someone else.
“I know it seems like we have been waiting. Night after night we don’t seem any further forward, but things are changing. Mel—Merlin—coming back to us has changed everything.” Lance clasped Kay’s shoulder. “We are nearing the final battle, and to do that Charles will be at your side—”
“And after?” Kay asked bitterly. He would be tossed aside again, and that was assuming they won.
Lance gazed at him. “You have a family that wants you now.”
Did he? Or did they just want what he represented. Kay shrugged. “I’m going for a drive. Let me know where to meet and who will be my babysitter.”
Kay walked outside, not giving Lance a chance to reply, and headed for his truck. He knew the others watched out for him in some ways more than Tom or Mel. It had never been spoken, but he didn’t fight on his own.
Maybe I should?
Would it bring Charles to him? He didn’t want to die. He wasn’t suicidal, just tired. Drained. So many deaths, so many pointless deaths, and he could remember every one. He drove aimlessly as the shadows in the city lengthened, but then he wasn’t surprised to see Prospect Park ahead of him. He knew what today was, and why his subconscious had brought him here. Fifty years since he’d seen a young girl beaten by her asshole of a pimp in the days when the only people who visited the park were looking for other highs than playing tennis and taking kids boating. She’d approached him as he had patrolled, and trying to turn her down kindly had been difficult when she hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer. He was just going to give her some money anyway when he had heard the cry of the beasts and had run to find them.
He’d come back later after killing one to make sure the park was safe before they went home and heard her. He’d heard the desperate cry cut off with a fist, and worse seen the pulp left of her young face when she was no longer making a noise. If he hadn’t known it was her, the only way to tell would have been the tattoo on her neck he had recognized. At least she wasn’t dead, and Kay had lingered until the ambulance arrived.
He’d come very close to killing a human that day. Apparently, she had failed to fill her quota.
He answered his cell phone as he stopped the truck. “Meet Lucan at the south entrance to the park. He’s on his way.” He jerked at the terse instruction from Mel and realized the sun had set. His amulet flashed, the blue of the stones turning darker to indicate the Ursus’s presence. Kay’s breath caught. The wooded areas and the playgrounds would be closed. There would still be a lot of people in the park, but he was close enough to the Lincoln Road entrance to miss most of the people leaving the other way.
He heard them as soon as he got out of the truck and started running. What sort of a sick coincidence had brought him here on this day?
He smelled the Ursus before he saw it and followed the screams, except these came from a human throat. He drew his sword as the Ursus turned and dropped the woman that it was holding, raising its sword and roaring its anger to the heavens.
Except it didn’t sound like anger. It sounded like triumph.
Kay drew his sword as he had done what seemed like every second of a million lifetimes, but just as he was going to slash it down, the Ursus changed. And for an interminable second, Kay halted, not believing what he was seeing. It wasn’t the face of the Ursus he was looking at. Black eyes like chips of smooth glass lightened and stared back, became human even as Kay gazed in disbelief. He could see sickened fear in the haunted gaze, the confusion and the terror. As the woman held up a hand as if to ward off the blow from Kay’s sword, he saw the bruises and the sagging skin hung from too gaunt a frame. The cart she pushed with her worldly goods in had turned over, and the smell of rotting food and paper hit Kay in a rush, and he lowered his sword in utter shame.
“I—” But the words—any words—caught in his throat. Silence seemed to weigh down his world. There were no cries of the beasts; his heart that had pounded in his ears fell to a mere whisper that fluttered against his ribs. His sorrow, his shame, had no noise. “I won’t hurt you.” He reached out with his empty hand just as she was brave enough to look up.
For a second he looked at too wasted a life. The red-rimmed eyes, the hair that had once been long which now seemed to lie in clumps, but as he watched, she brought her hand up to her throat and traced the tattoo on her throat. The triquetra symbol. The Celtic trinity. He stared in disbelief as recognition slammed into him. It was the girl from fifty years ago. Impossible. But his eyes shot to meet hers as she suddenly smiled and her green eyes that had been full of tears bled to black. Her mouth—thin red lips—parted as if ready to utter kind words, but the sound that came from them chilled his soul. The song of the beasts, too harsh to come from a human throat, slid into his mind like poison and held him still. She rose defiantly, all sense of infirmity gone, the cry on her lips and a sword in her hand, and as she raised it, Kay knew he was going to die. He didn’t understand, but bewilderment was little comfort and no explanation. He didn’t even have the ability to close his eyes as the sword came hurtling down.
And then sword met sword in a shriek of metal defiant enough to stop the cry from her lips, except it wasn’t his sword, and Charles cut through the woman as if she were nothing.
Silence. The dust blew away on the breeze, taking the woman and what seemed little sanity he had as if it had all been a fantasy.
Or maybe his sanity was the worse illusion of all.
November 3, 2020
3.5 Stars
This was another fascinating instalment in this fascinating series. So far, there hasn't been a single book in the series I haven't enjoyed and this was no different.
I would say that out of the three books out so far, this was the one that tremendously moved the overall story forward. With this much plot movement though, I felt like the romance kind of fell by the roadside which was a bummer. I had been looking forward to Kay and Charles' story since the previous book but didn't get enough page time of them together as everything else got in the way. :(
Also, due to so many moving parts in the plot, it got a bit confusing in the middle parts but fortunately the author managed to pull it all back in and ended the book right which led to my rating.
Gawain's book is next and with who his Tresor is, and with what was unleashed in the last paragraph of this book, I just can not wait until it releases!! So excited!
**eARC Graciously Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review**
This was another fascinating instalment in this fascinating series. So far, there hasn't been a single book in the series I haven't enjoyed and this was no different.
I would say that out of the three books out so far, this was the one that tremendously moved the overall story forward. With this much plot movement though, I felt like the romance kind of fell by the roadside which was a bummer. I had been looking forward to Kay and Charles' story since the previous book but didn't get enough page time of them together as everything else got in the way. :(
Also, due to so many moving parts in the plot, it got a bit confusing in the middle parts but fortunately the author managed to pull it all back in and ended the book right which led to my rating.
Gawain's book is next and with who his Tresor is, and with what was unleashed in the last paragraph of this book, I just can not wait until it releases!! So excited!
**eARC Graciously Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review**
August 9, 2022
4.5 Stars
March 6, 2023
Enjoyable hokum, excellent narration.
August 17, 2023
4 solid stars. ❤
I'm so overwhelmed by all the myths and legends but man, I enjoyed this one a lot. The truth behind their origin smacked me in the face at the end. I didn't expect any of those and I feel like some of the history was lost on me that I just didn't understand the hints or foreshadowing. Charles and Kay were opposites not in their personalities but their circumstances. If Kay has a photographic memory that he can scan through every day of his life like a library, Charles has no memory of his life other than the current task he is given.
The war and tragedy was also present on the first 2 books but this one also felt more tragic due to the fact that they had to return to a historic war and relive or revise it. There was a certain sadness to adding a noble's sacrifice into current historic tales.
Kay's truth was a bit epic but Charles's discovery of his and the lies he lived were heartbreaking. By far the best of the three. I loved the reimagined tales here. It's still heavily into the adventure and the cause but understable that they had to set aside the romance for action. I'd love some relationship development but from the first 2 books, I already expected it not to be a priority. I am looking forward to the finale.
I'm so overwhelmed by all the myths and legends but man, I enjoyed this one a lot. The truth behind their origin smacked me in the face at the end. I didn't expect any of those and I feel like some of the history was lost on me that I just didn't understand the hints or foreshadowing. Charles and Kay were opposites not in their personalities but their circumstances. If Kay has a photographic memory that he can scan through every day of his life like a library, Charles has no memory of his life other than the current task he is given.
The war and tragedy was also present on the first 2 books but this one also felt more tragic due to the fact that they had to return to a historic war and relive or revise it. There was a certain sadness to adding a noble's sacrifice into current historic tales.
Kay's truth was a bit epic but Charles's discovery of his and the lies he lived were heartbreaking. By far the best of the three. I loved the reimagined tales here. It's still heavily into the adventure and the cause but understable that they had to set aside the romance for action. I'd love some relationship development but from the first 2 books, I already expected it not to be a priority. I am looking forward to the finale.
November 6, 2020
This is hard to write without giving away spoilers!
The Darkest Knight is book three in the Guardians of Camelot series that has an overall series story arc but focuses on a different couple per book. I definitely recommend reading these books in order. This one follows Kay, one of the knights, and Charles, who we met in book two.
My heart broke for Kay in the first part of the story as he just seemed to get hit by one thing after another and came across as very lonely. He knows that Charles is his Tresor, his fated soulmate but Charles doesn't return the sentiment, instead believing that Kay is his light, the next person who he is supposed to keep safe and protect. The group of men really are a family as they all pull together to look out for each other whilst also standing strong to protect each other, even occasionally from themselves.
There is so much going on throughout the book so you have to be sure to pay attention; to the past, present and how everything links together. Across the story we have highs and lows, twists and turns, battles and studies, always something to grab your attention and keep you tethered to the story, invested in the outcome of the relationship between the MC's and the plot of the series.
We're left with a huge event that brings all of the characters together, fighting against their enemies and keeping each other safe. The final chapter is an enticing tease of what is to come in book four.
Cannot recommend this book and series enough. Victoria Sue has created a fantastic world for readers to dive into and it's easy to imagine yourself right there beside the characters, a brilliant twist on the Camelot series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review. ,
The Darkest Knight is book three in the Guardians of Camelot series that has an overall series story arc but focuses on a different couple per book. I definitely recommend reading these books in order. This one follows Kay, one of the knights, and Charles, who we met in book two.
My heart broke for Kay in the first part of the story as he just seemed to get hit by one thing after another and came across as very lonely. He knows that Charles is his Tresor, his fated soulmate but Charles doesn't return the sentiment, instead believing that Kay is his light, the next person who he is supposed to keep safe and protect. The group of men really are a family as they all pull together to look out for each other whilst also standing strong to protect each other, even occasionally from themselves.
There is so much going on throughout the book so you have to be sure to pay attention; to the past, present and how everything links together. Across the story we have highs and lows, twists and turns, battles and studies, always something to grab your attention and keep you tethered to the story, invested in the outcome of the relationship between the MC's and the plot of the series.
We're left with a huge event that brings all of the characters together, fighting against their enemies and keeping each other safe. The final chapter is an enticing tease of what is to come in book four.
Cannot recommend this book and series enough. Victoria Sue has created a fantastic world for readers to dive into and it's easy to imagine yourself right there beside the characters, a brilliant twist on the Camelot series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review. ,
November 3, 2020
This series just keeps getting better and better!
This series continues to amaze me and it's one that you really do need to read in order as each book builds on the previous one. The Darkest Knight is masterfully crafted and kept me on the edge of my seat. It seemed fairly obvious to me that Victoria Sue did a lot of research for this book because of the details about the legends and Latin referred to in it.
The romantic focus of the story is on Kay and Charles but there is so much more going on than just the romance. In fact, this one didn't seem to have as much sexy time as the others but it's not needed with everything else that's happening.
There were a couple of big surprises in this story that I absolutely didn't anticipate and I can't tell you about them because they would be spoilers.
I don't know how Victoria Sue comes up with all of the things in this series. The plot twists in The Darkest Knight were incredible. I'm sad that there is only one more book scheduled for the series but I know that it's going to be an amazing finish. The teaser at the end of this one left me breathless. I need the next book now. 😊
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
This series continues to amaze me and it's one that you really do need to read in order as each book builds on the previous one. The Darkest Knight is masterfully crafted and kept me on the edge of my seat. It seemed fairly obvious to me that Victoria Sue did a lot of research for this book because of the details about the legends and Latin referred to in it.
The romantic focus of the story is on Kay and Charles but there is so much more going on than just the romance. In fact, this one didn't seem to have as much sexy time as the others but it's not needed with everything else that's happening.
There were a couple of big surprises in this story that I absolutely didn't anticipate and I can't tell you about them because they would be spoilers.
I don't know how Victoria Sue comes up with all of the things in this series. The plot twists in The Darkest Knight were incredible. I'm sad that there is only one more book scheduled for the series but I know that it's going to be an amazing finish. The teaser at the end of this one left me breathless. I need the next book now. 😊
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
December 10, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
I very much enjoyed the first two books in the Guardians of Camelot series, and this one picks up directly following the events of book two. For those who haven’t read the other books, you’ll have a very difficult time following the plot of the third volume. This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. The knights of Camelot, sworn to Arthur, were granted immortality in order to keep fighting after Arthur’s death, but for a price. They surrendered half of their souls in order to heal faster, endure more, and gain strength and speed no human could possess. But Merlin tried to balance out the spell, promising them that their missing halves could be found in the form of Tresors, soul mates and one true loves.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
I very much enjoyed the first two books in the Guardians of Camelot series, and this one picks up directly following the events of book two. For those who haven’t read the other books, you’ll have a very difficult time following the plot of the third volume. This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. The knights of Camelot, sworn to Arthur, were granted immortality in order to keep fighting after Arthur’s death, but for a price. They surrendered half of their souls in order to heal faster, endure more, and gain strength and speed no human could possess. But Merlin tried to balance out the spell, promising them that their missing halves could be found in the form of Tresors, soul mates and one true loves.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
November 3, 2020
Face the future
Holy Knight, this series is phenomenal! I don’t want it to end and yet I need to know how the final battle will play out. Full of magic and magical writing, each book is absolutely amazing on its own but combined they’re perfection. So much has happened and I can’t quite catch my breath after all we discover. Neither Kay nor Charles have had it easy and I admit going into this book I worried about them and for them. I shouldn’t have been. Nothing will stand in the way of a knight and their Tresor, or vice versa. “I promise... I promise to never let you down.” Kay and Charles are truly incredible and wonderful together and I really want to hug them both. I’m also left in awe of everyone’s strength, kindness and bravery. An extraordinary and enthralling tale filled with action, suspense, magic, and an unbelievably fantastic found family that will make you want to draw your sword.
Holy Knight, this series is phenomenal! I don’t want it to end and yet I need to know how the final battle will play out. Full of magic and magical writing, each book is absolutely amazing on its own but combined they’re perfection. So much has happened and I can’t quite catch my breath after all we discover. Neither Kay nor Charles have had it easy and I admit going into this book I worried about them and for them. I shouldn’t have been. Nothing will stand in the way of a knight and their Tresor, or vice versa. “I promise... I promise to never let you down.” Kay and Charles are truly incredible and wonderful together and I really want to hug them both. I’m also left in awe of everyone’s strength, kindness and bravery. An extraordinary and enthralling tale filled with action, suspense, magic, and an unbelievably fantastic found family that will make you want to draw your sword.
December 30, 2024
I enjoyed returning to this story and world. Admittedly, a two-year gap between reading book 2 and 3 was not the best idea as there are many characters and a whole lot going on. However, the author did a pretty good job of reminding me enough for me to enjoy the current installment. I will probably read the next!
November 14, 2020
Wow! This was worth the wait. So many threads coming together, a few I expected and some I did not. Kay and Charles story was heartbreaking and sweet. Their backstory with Arthur and Merlin just pulled me in. When Charles finally figured out, and accepted, that he was Kay's Tressor, well it was a bit swoony! I'm not giving spoilers, but I'm eagerly anticipating book 4. It's going to be awesome.
February 15, 2023
Beh beh beh, ci siamo sicuramente ripresi dallo scivolone del libro numero due dei Guardiani di Camelot. MENO MALE! Victoria, per un attimo ho temuto mi avessi tradita anche tu.
Invece no, era solo l'eterna maledizione dei numeri due che ha colpito ancora.
DINKLEBERG... Ah no, aspetta.
In ogni caso: ora ci siamo! Una storia romantica, ma con una trama finalmente articolata e spiegata con dovizia di particolari. Lo struggimento di Charles ha dato quella nota di drama in più che si è guadagnata la stellina numero 4.
Sicuramente non sarà la serie della vita, ma ora sono curiosa di leggere l'ultimo numero.
Ho un po' paura, ma le mie speranze volano alte!
Invece no, era solo l'eterna maledizione dei numeri due che ha colpito ancora.
DINKLEBERG... Ah no, aspetta.
In ogni caso: ora ci siamo! Una storia romantica, ma con una trama finalmente articolata e spiegata con dovizia di particolari. Lo struggimento di Charles ha dato quella nota di drama in più che si è guadagnata la stellina numero 4.
Sicuramente non sarà la serie della vita, ma ora sono curiosa di leggere l'ultimo numero.
Ho un po' paura, ma le mie speranze volano alte!
October 5, 2024
Alright, definitely not for me and for a multitude of reasons, mainly the fact that the arthurian element was non-existent (this is clearly a Merlin BBC fanfic) and the romance was also non-existent.
First of all, the romance. I was supposed to believe this is a love story between a guy named Charles and Sir Kay from arthurian times, but - it is not. Charles and Kay are "in love"? Maybe? Who knows. They are insta-in-love the moment they meet, because of a magical bonding. At that point I was still hoping that we would see them actual interacting and actual thinking fondly of each other's - anything. Unfortunately, the book gave me nothing but two sex scenes. Alright, I like sex scenes if they are written well and they were, but at the same time I was supposed to believe that Charles wakes up with only "the necessary" knowledge each time, and apparently "rimming skills". The book also told me Kay is usually dominant in bed, so I expected to see some push and pull, some hesitation, some "individuality" in the sex scene instead of a standard one, but I didn't.
Talking about the plot - I did enjoy the mystery of who Charles was, but that was about it. Charles in general was a fascinating character, especially because his memories seemed to be missing/rewritten and because I adore Arawn as a mythological figure.
Now, regarding arthuriana... I love when arthurian novels take liberty with the material, but this felt more like a Merlin BBC fanfic where the author picked a random name (Kay) and threw it in because Merlin BBC had not enough arthurian knights and characters to use. Kay is not Arthur's step brother, or the senechal, or the snobbish snarky character from the legends, he is not Ector's son, or even Arthur's closest - he is just Kay in name. He is an orphan from Germany, with a sister, much younger than Arthur. That was it.
Lancelot was a commoner (like in Merlin BBC), Mordred and Gawain were not related to Arthur at all, Mordred was Arthur's evil uncle (like Agravaine in Merlin BBC), magic was forbbiden when Uther was king, Merlin was called Emrys - it was just too much for me. I still finished the novel because I wanted to see if Kay would ever be... well, Kay, but he never was. I wanted to see if we would ever see some depth in the romance between Kay and Charles, but I found none.
First of all, the romance. I was supposed to believe this is a love story between a guy named Charles and Sir Kay from arthurian times, but - it is not. Charles and Kay are "in love"? Maybe? Who knows. They are insta-in-love the moment they meet, because of a magical bonding. At that point I was still hoping that we would see them actual interacting and actual thinking fondly of each other's - anything. Unfortunately, the book gave me nothing but two sex scenes. Alright, I like sex scenes if they are written well and they were, but at the same time I was supposed to believe that Charles wakes up with only "the necessary" knowledge each time, and apparently "rimming skills". The book also told me Kay is usually dominant in bed, so I expected to see some push and pull, some hesitation, some "individuality" in the sex scene instead of a standard one, but I didn't.
Talking about the plot - I did enjoy the mystery of who Charles was, but that was about it. Charles in general was a fascinating character, especially because his memories seemed to be missing/rewritten and because I adore Arawn as a mythological figure.
Now, regarding arthuriana... I love when arthurian novels take liberty with the material, but this felt more like a Merlin BBC fanfic where the author picked a random name (Kay) and threw it in because Merlin BBC had not enough arthurian knights and characters to use. Kay is not Arthur's step brother, or the senechal, or the snobbish snarky character from the legends, he is not Ector's son, or even Arthur's closest - he is just Kay in name. He is an orphan from Germany, with a sister, much younger than Arthur. That was it.
Lancelot was a commoner (like in Merlin BBC), Mordred and Gawain were not related to Arthur at all, Mordred was Arthur's evil uncle (like Agravaine in Merlin BBC), magic was forbbiden when Uther was king, Merlin was called Emrys - it was just too much for me. I still finished the novel because I wanted to see if Kay would ever be... well, Kay, but he never was. I wanted to see if we would ever see some depth in the romance between Kay and Charles, but I found none.
December 29, 2024
The Darkest Knight
Is like slogging through deep wet snow. Exhausting. I hate giving negative reviews, I really do. Authors put a lot of work into their manuscripts, so it pains me to discourage their dedication and effort.
I got this ebook through Kindle Unlimited.
The final paragraph of ‘The Twelfth Knight’ pushed my curiosity with its last paragraph “ “Soon, Father,” the young boy with the gray eyes and pale blond hair whispered as he turned and vanished into the night. “Soon.” “ and was what made me check out this second book in the series. The only thing that made me want to check out the third book (this title) was the parts about Galahad.
I feared it would be as poorly written as was the first two books in the series and it was. I went into it knowing it would be written for adult audiences who were open to M/M erotica.
Kay and Charles were a lacklustre couple, as was the entire story. I couldn’t connect with the characters on any level. For Kay being centuries old he surely had gained no wisdom in those centuries. Charles was just old in mind and spirit, with a long held dogma he clung to with no thought to reason.
Galahad was the only thing that kept me reading because I adore the Arthurian genre.
I may or may not finish the series. I would like to finish the series, but I’m not sure I can stomach a fourth foray into this series.
Is like slogging through deep wet snow. Exhausting. I hate giving negative reviews, I really do. Authors put a lot of work into their manuscripts, so it pains me to discourage their dedication and effort.
I got this ebook through Kindle Unlimited.
The final paragraph of ‘The Twelfth Knight’ pushed my curiosity with its last paragraph “ “Soon, Father,” the young boy with the gray eyes and pale blond hair whispered as he turned and vanished into the night. “Soon.” “ and was what made me check out this second book in the series. The only thing that made me want to check out the third book (this title) was the parts about Galahad.
I feared it would be as poorly written as was the first two books in the series and it was. I went into it knowing it would be written for adult audiences who were open to M/M erotica.
Kay and Charles were a lacklustre couple, as was the entire story. I couldn’t connect with the characters on any level. For Kay being centuries old he surely had gained no wisdom in those centuries. Charles was just old in mind and spirit, with a long held dogma he clung to with no thought to reason.
Galahad was the only thing that kept me reading because I adore the Arthurian genre.
I may or may not finish the series. I would like to finish the series, but I’m not sure I can stomach a fourth foray into this series.
November 4, 2020
FR- Alors alors... alors j'ai adoré ce tome. Je l'ai dévoré en quelques heures tellement j'étais prise dans l'histoire et tellement j'ai adoré retrouver cet univers.
J'étais super contente d'avoir l'histoire de Charles et Kay. Kay est vraiment attachant et j'ai adoré en apprendre un peu plus sur son histoire. Charles, qui était très mystérieux dans les tomes précédent m'a clairement fait verser ma petite larmes à plusieurs reprises dans le roman.
Difficile de vous parler d'un tome 3 sans spoiler l'histoire mais je peux vous dire que j'aime énormément cette réécriture des légendes Arthuriennes. J'aime ce que l'auteure nous propose et j'ai adoré les rebondissements de ce tome. Une fois de plus je n'ai pas du tout vu venir les événements de ce tome et je pense que c'est mon tome préféré de la série.
Le rythme s'accélère et on sent que le denouement est proche. Les personnages sont toujours aussi bien développés et j'ai adorer retrouver tous les personnages dans ce tome également.
Une fois de plus, Victoria Sue nous livre une histoire aboutie, mêlant action et romance. Une mythologie et un univers parfaitement maitrisés, tout en apportant un vent de fraicheur sur la légende Arthurienne. Un sans faute.
ENG- So well well well... well I loved this tome. I devoured it in a few hours, I was so caught up in the story and I loved rediscovering this universe.
I was super happy to have the story of Charles and Kay. Kay is really endearing and I loved learning more about her story. Charles, who was very mysterious in the previous volumes clearly made me shed my little tears several times in the novel.
Difficult to tell you about a volume 3 without spoiling the story, but I can tell you that I really like this rewriting of Arthurian legends. I like what the author offers us and I loved the twists and turns of this volume. Once again I didn't see the events of this tome coming at all and I think this is my favorite tome of the series.
The pace is accelerating and we feel that the denouement is near. The characters are still very well developed and I love finding all the characters in this volume as well.
Once again, Victoria Sue delivers us a successful story, mixing action and romance. A mythology and a perfectly mastered universe, while bringing a breath of freshness to the Arthurian legend. Perfect!
J'étais super contente d'avoir l'histoire de Charles et Kay. Kay est vraiment attachant et j'ai adoré en apprendre un peu plus sur son histoire. Charles, qui était très mystérieux dans les tomes précédent m'a clairement fait verser ma petite larmes à plusieurs reprises dans le roman.
Difficile de vous parler d'un tome 3 sans spoiler l'histoire mais je peux vous dire que j'aime énormément cette réécriture des légendes Arthuriennes. J'aime ce que l'auteure nous propose et j'ai adoré les rebondissements de ce tome. Une fois de plus je n'ai pas du tout vu venir les événements de ce tome et je pense que c'est mon tome préféré de la série.
Le rythme s'accélère et on sent que le denouement est proche. Les personnages sont toujours aussi bien développés et j'ai adorer retrouver tous les personnages dans ce tome également.
Une fois de plus, Victoria Sue nous livre une histoire aboutie, mêlant action et romance. Une mythologie et un univers parfaitement maitrisés, tout en apportant un vent de fraicheur sur la légende Arthurienne. Un sans faute.
ENG- So well well well... well I loved this tome. I devoured it in a few hours, I was so caught up in the story and I loved rediscovering this universe.
I was super happy to have the story of Charles and Kay. Kay is really endearing and I loved learning more about her story. Charles, who was very mysterious in the previous volumes clearly made me shed my little tears several times in the novel.
Difficult to tell you about a volume 3 without spoiling the story, but I can tell you that I really like this rewriting of Arthurian legends. I like what the author offers us and I loved the twists and turns of this volume. Once again I didn't see the events of this tome coming at all and I think this is my favorite tome of the series.
The pace is accelerating and we feel that the denouement is near. The characters are still very well developed and I love finding all the characters in this volume as well.
Once again, Victoria Sue delivers us a successful story, mixing action and romance. A mythology and a perfectly mastered universe, while bringing a breath of freshness to the Arthurian legend. Perfect!
November 2, 2020
This book blow my mind I loved it!!! This book is part of a series, you need to read the previous books but let me tell you that this series is totally worth it!! The knights are fighting the ursus that Morgan Le Lay create, they need to find their Tresors the other half of their soul so they can finally fighting the last battle. The Darkest Knight is Kay of Isca and Charles St. John book. Kay know Charles is his Tresor the ache he feels in his soul is proof of that but Charles is not a mortal he is a knight hospitaller -or he believes- Charles is send to help others when He is needed, he used the therm a new light and this time Kay is the one he is send to help. Charles doesn’t think he is his treason, this part broke my heart, Kay just want to find his tresor the one he is supposed to be his other half, he just wants to be loved.
We learned a lot about Kay’s family and how the became a knight. Charles is an enigma he doesn’t even know who send him and why, this part is great to unravel so many twists and turns you didn’t see coming! Every time that I starting to understand story there’s another twist, damn!!! This book is hell of a raid, so many things that are becoming important to the next book! I love Mel and his constant chatter and references... lol.
Also I’m happy that Ali finds his Tresor and that person is important to Kay, all the characters bring so much to this story too! We know who the last knight and his Tresor are, they’re revealed almost at the end of the book so the final battle is coming!!!
I’m sooooo excited and sad because that will be the last book. If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for???!!! Victoria Sue did an amazing job with this series, souls mates and battles between good and evil and a lot of interesting characters. Who doesn’t love books about knight!
I highly recommended you to read his series!
I received and ARC in exchange of an honest review.
We learned a lot about Kay’s family and how the became a knight. Charles is an enigma he doesn’t even know who send him and why, this part is great to unravel so many twists and turns you didn’t see coming! Every time that I starting to understand story there’s another twist, damn!!! This book is hell of a raid, so many things that are becoming important to the next book! I love Mel and his constant chatter and references... lol.
Also I’m happy that Ali finds his Tresor and that person is important to Kay, all the characters bring so much to this story too! We know who the last knight and his Tresor are, they’re revealed almost at the end of the book so the final battle is coming!!!
I’m sooooo excited and sad because that will be the last book. If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for???!!! Victoria Sue did an amazing job with this series, souls mates and battles between good and evil and a lot of interesting characters. Who doesn’t love books about knight!
I highly recommended you to read his series!
I received and ARC in exchange of an honest review.
May 11, 2025
Wow! Esta saga me viene sorprendiendo para bien! El primer libro estaba pasable, pero de ahí en más la autora no ha hecho más que mejorar.
En este libro sube aún más la apuesta, con una trama llena de intriga y acción, sumada a un viaje temporal (y esta vez real, no como las veces anteriores) en mitad de la trama qué complica algunas cosas.
La pareja principal es la de Charles y Kay, ambos esconden muchos secretos y algunos misterios que ni ellos saben. Pero no es la única pareja y tampoco son los únicos vinculados en el libro ya que Ali conoce a Roxy y Gawain se reencuentra con Galahad (pareja protagonista del próximo libro). Así que es obvio decir que la trama no da respiro.
Como siempre quiero destacar las relaciones entre todos los personajes, son una familia y se nota. Las amistades entre todos ellos se me hacen super tiernas.
Y también quiero resaltar el crecimiento de mi pequeño Mel. Chiquito! ha pasado por tanto y se nota que se esfuerza para estar a la altura de su leyenda. Acá ya va mostrando como maneja mejor su magia y se empeña en ayudar a los caballeros pese a las quejas de Lance. También se nota el cariño que el grupo le ha tomando. Mi niño se merece su casa gigante y su refugio!
Con ese clifhangher del final solo me queda agarrar el último de la saga, porque Wtf! Así se termina un libro..
En este libro sube aún más la apuesta, con una trama llena de intriga y acción, sumada a un viaje temporal (y esta vez real, no como las veces anteriores) en mitad de la trama qué complica algunas cosas.
La pareja principal es la de Charles y Kay, ambos esconden muchos secretos y algunos misterios que ni ellos saben. Pero no es la única pareja y tampoco son los únicos vinculados en el libro ya que Ali conoce a Roxy y Gawain se reencuentra con Galahad (pareja protagonista del próximo libro). Así que es obvio decir que la trama no da respiro.
Como siempre quiero destacar las relaciones entre todos los personajes, son una familia y se nota. Las amistades entre todos ellos se me hacen super tiernas.
Y también quiero resaltar el crecimiento de mi pequeño Mel. Chiquito! ha pasado por tanto y se nota que se esfuerza para estar a la altura de su leyenda. Acá ya va mostrando como maneja mejor su magia y se empeña en ayudar a los caballeros pese a las quejas de Lance. También se nota el cariño que el grupo le ha tomando. Mi niño se merece su casa gigante y su refugio!
Con ese clifhangher del final solo me queda agarrar el último de la saga, porque Wtf! Así se termina un libro..
January 28, 2024
The Darkest Knight is the story of Kay and his tresor Charles. Charles was introduced in book two. He was the protector of Tom. Charles is convinced he has a higher purpose and cannot be Kay’s soulmate. After making sure Tom was safe in book two, he was pulled away to another task but is sent back when Kay is under attack. Charles admits Kay is now his assignment but still not his soulmate. Charles is really gob smacked by the events and revelations in this book. Everything he thought he knew about his life is false. Kay also discovers new information about is life. These two men are the definition of tortured heroes. Kay knows that Charles is his soulmate but will never be in a relationship with him. Charles has never had a home and thinks he never will. Charles and Kay have to fight hard for their HEA. Although Kay and Charles’ romance is complete, the overall story arc continues into the next book. I recommend this book and series to anyone who like mm paranormal romance and urban fantasy
I highly recommend the audiobook. Narrator Greg Boudreaux gives a fantastic performance.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Narrator Greg Boudreaux gives a fantastic performance.
May 24, 2021
The author continues her incredible, complex tale of Arthurian knights in modern day New York City battling the magical beasts conjured by Morgan la Fay and her minions.
This time the knight having “tresor trouble” is Kay. While he’s convinced that he’d met his tresor in the person of the Hospitaller knight, Charles, Charles isn’t convinced.
This is the third installment in the Guardians of Camelot series and the earlier somewhat muddled aspect of the storytelling due to filling in backstory and revealing additional plot twists was a bit easier to follow this time around than in book two. But that and the inability of knights and “tresors” to get together without one or the other objecting, disbelieving, or disappearing is beginning to feel a bit formulaic.
In a way, we now have all the knights with their “tresors,” and the way has been cleared for the final battle in the next and final book in the series. Yet, I’m hoping that before we get the epic final battle, we get a good healthy dose of romance between the last two that were united. Neither one of those last two were in any real shape for any romantic action given the way that this book ended.
The saga is compelling and at points brilliant. I will certainly want to read book four soon, but I am suffering a bit from epic-quest fatigue. It’s a bit like the chivalry-lit equivalent of an ice-cream headache. While I’ve enjoyed each and every one of the books in this series I recognize I need to slow down a bit in order to fully appreciate the final denouement.
If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, enjoy Arthurian legends, enjoy in-depth world building, not to mention an intricate and sometimes complicated plot involving the struggle between good and evil, then this is a series you really should explore. But slowly! Ice-cream head-aches can be the worst.
***Note: I received a free copy of this book in hopes of an honest and impartial review***
This time the knight having “tresor trouble” is Kay. While he’s convinced that he’d met his tresor in the person of the Hospitaller knight, Charles, Charles isn’t convinced.
This is the third installment in the Guardians of Camelot series and the earlier somewhat muddled aspect of the storytelling due to filling in backstory and revealing additional plot twists was a bit easier to follow this time around than in book two. But that and the inability of knights and “tresors” to get together without one or the other objecting, disbelieving, or disappearing is beginning to feel a bit formulaic.
In a way, we now have all the knights with their “tresors,” and the way has been cleared for the final battle in the next and final book in the series. Yet, I’m hoping that before we get the epic final battle, we get a good healthy dose of romance between the last two that were united. Neither one of those last two were in any real shape for any romantic action given the way that this book ended.
The saga is compelling and at points brilliant. I will certainly want to read book four soon, but I am suffering a bit from epic-quest fatigue. It’s a bit like the chivalry-lit equivalent of an ice-cream headache. While I’ve enjoyed each and every one of the books in this series I recognize I need to slow down a bit in order to fully appreciate the final denouement.
If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, enjoy Arthurian legends, enjoy in-depth world building, not to mention an intricate and sometimes complicated plot involving the struggle between good and evil, then this is a series you really should explore. But slowly! Ice-cream head-aches can be the worst.
***Note: I received a free copy of this book in hopes of an honest and impartial review***
November 3, 2020
Charles and Kay journey takes you on a roller coaster of twists and turns you don't see coming. This story hits you in the heart since the beginnig and the hits just keep on coming. When you think you know where this story is going..Wham!...you're hit with a twist and your back to the beginning. They are done in way that they add to the story, without diminishing the storyline or just thrown in for dramatic effect. Also, the emotions that are ripped out of you..omg. Kay made my heart ache for him. I wanted to slap Charles but I understood why he did what he did (still wanted to slap him though, lol). They are so full of hurt and need but unable to do anything about it, so they think. And then we have Gawain whose story will be next. I'm already aching for him. Im so anxiously waiting for the next book.
November 5, 2020
As we continue with the Knights (The Guardians of Camelot) fighting evil and finding the other half of their soul. In this story we follow Kay and his Tresor Charles, who we meet in book two.
I read this book in one sitting as I was glued from the first page.
In this story there is plenty of laughing moments and many heart breaking moments as pasts are revealed and feeling are hurt.
There many twists and turns in this story that I didn't see coming until the very last minute and a few surprises I didn't see happening.
Each story gets better and better as the books continue, I am looking forward to book four and the final battle as you know it will be epic.
Victoria Sue has one wicked imagination to take a legend and twist the tails and make it work and turn it into a great series.
I read this book in one sitting as I was glued from the first page.
In this story there is plenty of laughing moments and many heart breaking moments as pasts are revealed and feeling are hurt.
There many twists and turns in this story that I didn't see coming until the very last minute and a few surprises I didn't see happening.
Each story gets better and better as the books continue, I am looking forward to book four and the final battle as you know it will be epic.
Victoria Sue has one wicked imagination to take a legend and twist the tails and make it work and turn it into a great series.
May 20, 2021
So far this series has been a little slow going for me. I understand there is a lot of world-building and that isn't necessarily extreme action. Even as I started this audio, I found myself spacing out. I wasn't pulled in as much as I would have liked. I have been enjoying the stories but not on the edge of my seat invested in them. This is the final book before the last, if I have it right, and half way through the author turned on the twists and turns deserving of this series and I am really pumped up now for the final audio to come out. I have to see what happens with this group of Arthurian knights and their tressors (other halves). Narration by Greg Boudreaux is always amazing. He definitely brings the stories to life.
November 1, 2020
If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for?! (Unless it’s the last book because there’s still one more after this one). But oh, how I loved this one. My heart absolutely broke for Kay, whom just wanted love and the one person made for him this entire time; and for Charles, who just wanted purpose and not betray what he thought was his calling. There are so many absolutely bananas twists and turns in this book that you will think you see coming, and you will be wrong! Definitely not a stand-alone book, and I know this review is a lot of words without saying much, but I don’t want to spoil the absolute magic that is this series.
November 3, 2020
This world that Victoria Sue has created for The Knights of Camelot is beyond amazing. My heart broke for Kay and Charles. Both of them deserved and needed to be loved. Charles especially. This book is so unpredictable, when you think you know what's happening a new twist is shown that completely derails everything you thought you know. I love this series so much, action packed, suspense, romance, humor, heartwarming. At the end of book 2 I was looking forward to more of Galahad, and now I can't wait for book 4 to see how the story continues. I enjoyed the Darkest Knight immensely. I was provided with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2020
This book is best enjoyed as part of the series and cannot be read as a stand-alone.
Kay has found his Tresor/ fated mate, but Charles is hesitant as he needs to fulfill his responsibilities.
But, the draw between them cannot be denied even if the evil army is encroaching rapidly. As they come together, they both need to realize they are worthy of each other and their people.
This entertaining read will have you at the edge of your seat with its action, suspense, fated mates, found family, twists and turns and epic set up for the final book in the series. An mythology paranormal story which is a captivating indulgence.
Kay has found his Tresor/ fated mate, but Charles is hesitant as he needs to fulfill his responsibilities.
But, the draw between them cannot be denied even if the evil army is encroaching rapidly. As they come together, they both need to realize they are worthy of each other and their people.
This entertaining read will have you at the edge of your seat with its action, suspense, fated mates, found family, twists and turns and epic set up for the final book in the series. An mythology paranormal story which is a captivating indulgence.
March 21, 2021
It's review time 🎧
Warning ⚠️: mm romance, 3rd book in a series, fantasy, Arthur's knight re telling, finding your mate.
Narrator score🎧 ; Greg Boudreaux is amazing as always, he did a great job with the book and I love it.
Level of steam🔥: i think it was the fastest book that the couple made the did in this series, the sex came quite fast.
Level of anxiety and sadness0😱😢: the book isn't sad, its more like a legend that works quite well.
The book itself📖: I liked the book, it was a great one. I enjoyed the idea of the books and this story was good as well. Charles was a great character he was unsure and quite unique. The story was great and I liked it.
Warning ⚠️: mm romance, 3rd book in a series, fantasy, Arthur's knight re telling, finding your mate.
Narrator score🎧 ; Greg Boudreaux is amazing as always, he did a great job with the book and I love it.
Level of steam🔥: i think it was the fastest book that the couple made the did in this series, the sex came quite fast.
Level of anxiety and sadness0😱😢: the book isn't sad, its more like a legend that works quite well.
The book itself📖: I liked the book, it was a great one. I enjoyed the idea of the books and this story was good as well. Charles was a great character he was unsure and quite unique. The story was great and I liked it.
November 4, 2020
This was absolutely fantastic!! I loved everything about Kay and Charles’s story!! All the twist and turns, the obstacles! Just Epic. The characters, story line and plot were sooo good. The story had magic, suspense, and action. This story put my emotions thru the wringer, I held my breath at one point. I literally cannot say enough good about this story. It was phenomenally stunning read!! I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
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