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The Dark Creatures Saga #1
Dark Creatures
He took everything from her. Now she’s determined to make him pay…
London. Narissa Knight is obsessed with revenge. For ten years, the twenty-five-year-old has hunted for the vampire that murdered her father. Desperate to put an end to her futile search, she resorts to offering herself up as a meal to the bloodsucker elite.
Garnering the attention of handsome century-old Calin, she attempts to have him unwittingly aid her quest for vengeance. But as the lies and secrets begin piling up her quarry turns the tables, and Narissa finds herself confronting the most devastating secret of all…
Is the cost of retribution too high even for her?
Dark Creatures is the first book in the chilling Dark Creatures episodic urban fantasy saga. If you like brooding vampires, shocking reveals, and fast-paced action, then you’ll adore Ella Stone’s supernatural tale.
London. Narissa Knight is obsessed with revenge. For ten years, the twenty-five-year-old has hunted for the vampire that murdered her father. Desperate to put an end to her futile search, she resorts to offering herself up as a meal to the bloodsucker elite.
Garnering the attention of handsome century-old Calin, she attempts to have him unwittingly aid her quest for vengeance. But as the lies and secrets begin piling up her quarry turns the tables, and Narissa finds herself confronting the most devastating secret of all…
Is the cost of retribution too high even for her?
Dark Creatures is the first book in the chilling Dark Creatures episodic urban fantasy saga. If you like brooding vampires, shocking reveals, and fast-paced action, then you’ll adore Ella Stone’s supernatural tale.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2021
About the author
Ella Stone
27 books101 followersI am an author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction. I'm passionate about my family, reading, writing and cats. The order of which can change on a day to day basis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 29, 2022
DNF at 77%.
Unfortunately, this was painfully dull. The characters had no personality whatsoever, especially Calvin, the Vampire, and Naz was a complete idiot. The level of reckless stupidity was out of this world. I kept going with it, as I'm desperate to find a decent UF I haven't already read, but I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
Unfortunately, this was painfully dull. The characters had no personality whatsoever, especially Calvin, the Vampire, and Naz was a complete idiot. The level of reckless stupidity was out of this world. I kept going with it, as I'm desperate to find a decent UF I haven't already read, but I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
July 18, 2025
I like the story. I like Ella Stones writing style. the world building is pretty good.
One of my hang ups is the characters and I'm still just trying to like the main character. but I like the stories direction.
One of my hang ups is the characters and I'm still just trying to like the main character. but I like the stories direction.
July 2, 2024
I have never hated a character so much . Not only is she useless but also stupid.
In the 10 years that she has been looking for her dads killer she has learnt no fighting or defense skills. ALL SHE EVER DOES IS SCREAM FOR HELP. Her plans (if you can call it that) are so stupid a 5 year old could have made a better plan.
The story is predictable but I’m fine with that I like a good cliché. The other characters although better than the main character, are very one dimensional and at times just as dumb as the main.
I will be reading the second book but only because I bought the first 3 books as a package deal. Hopefully it will get better. I wouldn’t recommend this series but I have seen worse.
In the 10 years that she has been looking for her dads killer she has learnt no fighting or defense skills. ALL SHE EVER DOES IS SCREAM FOR HELP. Her plans (if you can call it that) are so stupid a 5 year old could have made a better plan.
The story is predictable but I’m fine with that I like a good cliché. The other characters although better than the main character, are very one dimensional and at times just as dumb as the main.
I will be reading the second book but only because I bought the first 3 books as a package deal. Hopefully it will get better. I wouldn’t recommend this series but I have seen worse.
July 22, 2024
Much better than I expected.
My main problem was that there are quite a few major and glaring plotholes. None of them are a complete game-breaker for me so I could just intentionally suspend disbelief but what makes them worth pointing out is how blatantly obvious they all are. I can't imagine them being just an oversight.
It was surprisingly hard to keep up with all the happenings especially early on because the book very much reads like a continuation of a series and not like the first book.
This is indeed the case. There exists a series of short stories but they are listed as the "Dark Creatures Prequel Collection" and calling something a "Prequel" explicitly generally implies to me that it is a later addition to a series of events that happened chronologically before the original series. But judging from the release dates of these books it seems like this is not actually the case here. The prequel really is the prequel in every sense and probably should be read before this series. I could work out everything important for the plot and understand all the character motivations but it felt a bit rushed and crammed probably because I missed out on previous character and relationship development.
On one hand, I am intrigued by the end which is fortunately not the horrible cliffhanger ending the book seemed to steer towards, but on the other hand, I am not sure if it is a good idea to get deeper into the worldbuilding considering how spotty and unbelievable the bits in this book already were. Continuing might actually ruin my experience if the worldbuilding doesn't improve by quite a lot which my experience generally doesn't happen.
Edit: It was even worse than I feared. The second book is a complete shitshow front to back.
All the details I gave the benefit of the doubt turned out just as bad as I feared and sometimes even worse. I have to subtract a star after learning how bad it really gets.
My main problem was that there are quite a few major and glaring plotholes. None of them are a complete game-breaker for me so I could just intentionally suspend disbelief but what makes them worth pointing out is how blatantly obvious they all are. I can't imagine them being just an oversight.
It was surprisingly hard to keep up with all the happenings especially early on because the book very much reads like a continuation of a series and not like the first book.
This is indeed the case. There exists a series of short stories but they are listed as the "Dark Creatures Prequel Collection" and calling something a "Prequel" explicitly generally implies to me that it is a later addition to a series of events that happened chronologically before the original series. But judging from the release dates of these books it seems like this is not actually the case here. The prequel really is the prequel in every sense and probably should be read before this series. I could work out everything important for the plot and understand all the character motivations but it felt a bit rushed and crammed probably because I missed out on previous character and relationship development.
On one hand, I am intrigued by the end which is fortunately not the horrible cliffhanger ending the book seemed to steer towards, but on the other hand, I am not sure if it is a good idea to get deeper into the worldbuilding considering how spotty and unbelievable the bits in this book already were. Continuing might actually ruin my experience if the worldbuilding doesn't improve by quite a lot which my experience generally doesn't happen.
Edit: It was even worse than I feared. The second book is a complete shitshow front to back.
All the details I gave the benefit of the doubt turned out just as bad as I feared and sometimes even worse. I have to subtract a star after learning how bad it really gets.
October 17, 2022
While technically an "adult urban fantasy " this one reads like YA. The heroine is rash to the point of stupidity. She has more than earned her "red shirt". Unfortunately, the other characters are whiny and rather 2 dimensional so I didn't even care for her "Scooby Gang". So when 1 of them dies, other than wishing it was little miss red shirt, I just didn't care. Not much plot development other than an ill conceived revenge "plan". Definitely Not continuing on in this series.
July 15, 2025
3.5 stars
Dark Creatures is an urban fantasy and the first book in the Dark Creatures saga.
Mature student Narissa has spent ten years trying to convince Blackwatch, human enforcers of peace with vampires, that a vampire killed her father. But no one believes her, so she does all that she can to find the proof herself.
Narissa repeatedly puts herself in danger while she pursues her goal, but her dedication comes at a price; she leads a lonely life with few friends.
With a surprising twist and a fast paced finale, the story is set to continue in book two.
This was an quick book to read with an reasonably interesting storyline, which I hope develops further as the series grows.
Dark Creatures is an urban fantasy and the first book in the Dark Creatures saga.
Mature student Narissa has spent ten years trying to convince Blackwatch, human enforcers of peace with vampires, that a vampire killed her father. But no one believes her, so she does all that she can to find the proof herself.
Narissa repeatedly puts herself in danger while she pursues her goal, but her dedication comes at a price; she leads a lonely life with few friends.
With a surprising twist and a fast paced finale, the story is set to continue in book two.
This was an quick book to read with an reasonably interesting storyline, which I hope develops further as the series grows.
May 5, 2026
This was an absolute amazing book!!! I loved the paranormal and I still can't get over what happened to her friend, ajd wow what an ending
December 15, 2021
Wow! I received this audiobook earlier today and have just finished it!
How refreshing not to have loads of sex in a vampire and human relationship!
It's a fab audiobook and the narrator was great too! An easy to listen to voice.
I also liked the fact that it was set in London.
I have downloaded the book as I just can't wait for the audiobook !
How refreshing not to have loads of sex in a vampire and human relationship!
It's a fab audiobook and the narrator was great too! An easy to listen to voice.
I also liked the fact that it was set in London.
I have downloaded the book as I just can't wait for the audiobook !
May 4, 2024
I would use the term “romance” loosely for this series. It’s not bad. However, I don’t consider this a romance.
April 29, 2023
This was a solid idea, but is bogged down by technical issues.
None of the characters feel fleshed out. The most insight we get is for Naz, and it's still not that much. It's like they get one thing to define them and that's it. Naz-revenge. Oliver-Blackwatch guy. Calin-goody goody vampire. Rey-witch.
It's unintentional, but Naz isn't likeable. She's obnoxious. I get why she's frustrated, because everyone parrots the "The Blood Pact prevents vampires from killing humans" line over and over as if no one could POSSIBLY break that rule, but she goes about proving it in the worst way possible. And Rey is incredibly naïve to think they can waltz into a vampire den with zero issues because "The Blood Pact will protect us." Come on, now.
There's a Naz chapter, then a Calin one that jumps ahead, but then flashes back to right when Naz's ended. What was the point. It should have started with him leaving Naz, then going to the meeting. The way it is throws off the flow.
The multiple POVs is a waste. Anyone who isn't Naz has a POV to show the reader what's happening when Naz isn't there. This is a lazy way of storytelling. An author should be able to make the reader understand what's going on without having to spell it out for them like this. Especially when we get the villain's POV. And giving Oliver ONE chapter was pointless.
Most of the conflicts were solved too quickly. Naz's issues with her old boss come up once and are gone because Calin threatened him. Rey knows just the place to find Naz's father's murderer and one trip leads to his identity being revealed. Naz kills said murderer through an out of nowhere plot point. I thought the murder mystery would be dragged out for a few books, but no. A few blunders and the answer falls in Naz's lap, then she takes revenge. Ho-hum.
I don't believe I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up later in the series. Which I probably won't continue.
None of the characters feel fleshed out. The most insight we get is for Naz, and it's still not that much. It's like they get one thing to define them and that's it. Naz-revenge. Oliver-Blackwatch guy. Calin-goody goody vampire. Rey-witch.
It's unintentional, but Naz isn't likeable. She's obnoxious. I get why she's frustrated, because everyone parrots the "The Blood Pact prevents vampires from killing humans" line over and over as if no one could POSSIBLY break that rule, but she goes about proving it in the worst way possible. And Rey is incredibly naïve to think they can waltz into a vampire den with zero issues because "The Blood Pact will protect us." Come on, now.
There's a Naz chapter, then a Calin one that jumps ahead, but then flashes back to right when Naz's ended. What was the point. It should have started with him leaving Naz, then going to the meeting. The way it is throws off the flow.
The multiple POVs is a waste. Anyone who isn't Naz has a POV to show the reader what's happening when Naz isn't there. This is a lazy way of storytelling. An author should be able to make the reader understand what's going on without having to spell it out for them like this. Especially when we get the villain's POV. And giving Oliver ONE chapter was pointless.
Most of the conflicts were solved too quickly. Naz's issues with her old boss come up once and are gone because Calin threatened him. Rey knows just the place to find Naz's father's murderer and one trip leads to his identity being revealed. Naz kills said murderer through an out of nowhere plot point. I thought the murder mystery would be dragged out for a few books, but no. A few blunders and the answer falls in Naz's lap, then she takes revenge. Ho-hum.
I don't believe I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up later in the series. Which I probably won't continue.
June 13, 2024
Not for me
I thought this book had an interesting premise but I was barely able to finish it, the MC was so self centered and unlikable.
I thought this book had an interesting premise but I was barely able to finish it, the MC was so self centered and unlikable.
June 6, 2024
DNF - This had the potential to be great, but there was too much going wrong. Naz is unlikeable. Her revenge plans are ill thought out. There’s not a rule Naz won’t break. I want to read action and drama, not have crazy unreasonable things happen just to have something happening. Adding crazy does not equal exciting. I wanted to like this, but once I took a step back, I had no desire to go back to the confusing and immature world.
February 14, 2024
DNF 55%
I found this really long-winded and quite boring. There are flashes of stuff that might be interesting, but I just don't care enough to keep reading. Got to the bit where they're going to the underground club place, and I just want to yawn. Life is too short to read books you're not getting on with. Sorry.
I found this really long-winded and quite boring. There are flashes of stuff that might be interesting, but I just don't care enough to keep reading. Got to the bit where they're going to the underground club place, and I just want to yawn. Life is too short to read books you're not getting on with. Sorry.
November 6, 2021
Bored to tears
I could not get into this book at all. It was a bad sign when I had to go back and reread chapter 1 to see if I had missed some bit of vital information that would have made the plot make sense. Alas, no.
I could not get into this book at all. It was a bad sign when I had to go back and reread chapter 1 to see if I had missed some bit of vital information that would have made the plot make sense. Alas, no.
October 12, 2025
This is my first book my the author and it was an entertaining read/listen!
This was an interesting start to a series with a neat supernatural world. Vampires (and other creatures) exist and there's an accord to keep them from annihilating and subjugating all humans kept in place by Black Watch. Though, of course there are those that don't really like the rules put in place, and that's why Nas has some issues.
Nas is kind of a typical protagonist, because she is on the broke side, rather than wealthy, continuing to go to school to stave off finding a job (same, girl), and she has some daddy issues. Specifically, a vampire didn't follow the accords and brought about the demise of her father when she was younger. Cue some slightly unhealthy coping mechanisms and obsessing over the crime, plus everyone lightly gaslighting her into thinking it was obviously not a vampire. So she fits the mold of a typical urban fantasy female protagonist, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Nas is an interesting character. She has heart, but she is a little misguided in someways (not in a bad way, but in a way that makes her more personable and relatable).
There's like a hint of romance, but I wouldn't really consider this a story with romance. There is also a cliffhanger! So if you don't like those, stop worrying because the series is already complete and in audiobooks, too! This book also has multiple POVs, which I liked because it helped get to know the other characters and their motivations better.
The narrator was new to me and I think she did a good job with all the voices. She did have a stronger accent than I was expecting, but I was able to get used to it quickly, and it really added to the British setting of the story. I listened at 1.2x speed.
This was an interesting start to a series with a neat supernatural world. Vampires (and other creatures) exist and there's an accord to keep them from annihilating and subjugating all humans kept in place by Black Watch. Though, of course there are those that don't really like the rules put in place, and that's why Nas has some issues.
Nas is kind of a typical protagonist, because she is on the broke side, rather than wealthy, continuing to go to school to stave off finding a job (same, girl), and she has some daddy issues. Specifically, a vampire didn't follow the accords and brought about the demise of her father when she was younger. Cue some slightly unhealthy coping mechanisms and obsessing over the crime, plus everyone lightly gaslighting her into thinking it was obviously not a vampire. So she fits the mold of a typical urban fantasy female protagonist, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Nas is an interesting character. She has heart, but she is a little misguided in someways (not in a bad way, but in a way that makes her more personable and relatable).
There's like a hint of romance, but I wouldn't really consider this a story with romance. There is also a cliffhanger! So if you don't like those, stop worrying because the series is already complete and in audiobooks, too! This book also has multiple POVs, which I liked because it helped get to know the other characters and their motivations better.
The narrator was new to me and I think she did a good job with all the voices. She did have a stronger accent than I was expecting, but I was able to get used to it quickly, and it really added to the British setting of the story. I listened at 1.2x speed.
August 30, 2021
Murder, corruption and a broken pact which threatens the peaceful status quo. A great start to this new UF series.
This is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy series from Ella Stone, set in modern day London, UK.
This book is beautifully written and fast paced. I was glued to it and read far into the early hours of the morning because I didn’t want to put it down.
There is a 200 year old pact between humans and vampires. Most humans are blissfully unaware of the supernatural world around them. Vampires no longer hunt but are supplied with blood bags and the occasional live donor. Killing humans is expressly forbidden.
Not all vampires are happy with the status quo. Murders still happen. Naz is searching for the vampire who killed her Father in front of her when she was a teenager. Her desire for revenge is all consuming and controls every decision she has made in the decade since his death.
Her mission takes her into the heart of the Vampire Council, where she encounters the corruption and bloodlust which she had suspected was there but also help and support which she hadn’t expected. Her journey puts her and her friends in mortal danger. Can she find the guilty vampire? Even if she does find him, can she and her friends survive the encounter?
I loved the characters. They are very relatable. The interaction between them is believable. There is good development of all the main characters throughout the book. The world building is excellent and the supernatural elements easy to understand. There is a beautiful, big, shiny hook at the end and I’m definitely being reeled in for book two. It can’t come fast enough.
This is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy series from Ella Stone, set in modern day London, UK.
This book is beautifully written and fast paced. I was glued to it and read far into the early hours of the morning because I didn’t want to put it down.
There is a 200 year old pact between humans and vampires. Most humans are blissfully unaware of the supernatural world around them. Vampires no longer hunt but are supplied with blood bags and the occasional live donor. Killing humans is expressly forbidden.
Not all vampires are happy with the status quo. Murders still happen. Naz is searching for the vampire who killed her Father in front of her when she was a teenager. Her desire for revenge is all consuming and controls every decision she has made in the decade since his death.
Her mission takes her into the heart of the Vampire Council, where she encounters the corruption and bloodlust which she had suspected was there but also help and support which she hadn’t expected. Her journey puts her and her friends in mortal danger. Can she find the guilty vampire? Even if she does find him, can she and her friends survive the encounter?
I loved the characters. They are very relatable. The interaction between them is believable. There is good development of all the main characters throughout the book. The world building is excellent and the supernatural elements easy to understand. There is a beautiful, big, shiny hook at the end and I’m definitely being reeled in for book two. It can’t come fast enough.
October 25, 2021
There was absolutely no way I could have predicted the ending! I was actually flabagasted, totally unexpected but at same time, it makes perfect sense! Talk about a twist, I just love it when I'm caught unaware! I read this book in one sitting, couldn't stop. But let me start from the beginning. Narissa witnessed her father's murder by a vampire 10 years ago but no one believes her, not her father's colleagues in Blackwatch, not her friends, no one, afterall, there was a signed agreement wasn't there? Naz decides to take matters into her own hand, she has to find her father's killer, so she embarks on a dangerous quest to find him, even going so far as to put herself in harm's way. She lies her way into becoming Calin's donor but he's not quite what she expects. When she doesn't get the answers she want, she takes it even further and gets herself into an even worse situation, where all hell breaks out and her friend Rea is attacked. Narissa is a very realistic character, her emotions true, her attitude snarky but determined. I enjoyed reading how she navigates her terrible decisions and their consequences and quite frankly, her irresponsible behaviour and personal need eclipses rational thought. Her friendship with Oliver and Rea are true to life and both are great characters. As she plunges head first into the dangerous world of vampires, she finally finds her father's murder but the outcome is one of the more unpredictable ones I've read! A great start to the series, I'm so ready for book 2!
May 12, 2026
Narissa is a young woman who has been obsessed with finding her father’s killer. She saw it happen and she won’t ever forget the killer’s face. For 10 years she has been searching for this vampire, but only now has she gotten a really good lead. Pretending to be a blood donor, she meets Calin, a vampire on their council. She believes she can pry information from him, but when she is caught things go from bad to worse. Secrets will be revealed that will have Narissa’s life on the line.
Narissa is not a typical young adult. She has seen her father die and it has made it difficult for her to connect to people. Her best friend works for the organization her father did and they claim she didn’t see what she thinks she did, but she won’t back down. She is single minded in her purpose of discovering the killer. Calin is the poster child for vampire/human relations (even though humans don’t know about vampires).
This is book 1 and gives a build up of the story line. As you get to know Narissa and her friends you are given the backstory that brought them to this point. There are some tense moments, some very emotional moments (a complete how could you Ella moment for sure!) and one very surprising moment!! After that big reveal I definitely have quite a few more questions and wonder what others are hiding. There is a whole world that even Narissa doesn’t know about but shes going to have to learn quickly! I have read her Raven’s Hollow series and enjoy that as well, but this is a little different, a littler darker. I enjoyed book 1 and will be getting to book 2 soon.
Narissa is not a typical young adult. She has seen her father die and it has made it difficult for her to connect to people. Her best friend works for the organization her father did and they claim she didn’t see what she thinks she did, but she won’t back down. She is single minded in her purpose of discovering the killer. Calin is the poster child for vampire/human relations (even though humans don’t know about vampires).
This is book 1 and gives a build up of the story line. As you get to know Narissa and her friends you are given the backstory that brought them to this point. There are some tense moments, some very emotional moments (a complete how could you Ella moment for sure!) and one very surprising moment!! After that big reveal I definitely have quite a few more questions and wonder what others are hiding. There is a whole world that even Narissa doesn’t know about but shes going to have to learn quickly! I have read her Raven’s Hollow series and enjoy that as well, but this is a little different, a littler darker. I enjoyed book 1 and will be getting to book 2 soon.
May 25, 2022
This book was entrancing. Icouldn't put it down until i finished it. Naz is a broken girl that has to find the vampire that killed her father. She puts not only her life but the lives of her close friends in danger. She has blinders on and cannot see what she is doing. I really felt for her, she comes to the conclusion that her life has not meaning until this mission is completed.
She is so like many of us when we put our minds to something and damn the consequences.
The story really shows her struggle and the means she will go to to complete it.
I loved all the character and how they fit together and enhance Naz'sj story.
I was on the edge of my seat when she finally sees the end of her life's mission. Will she succeed or will it end.
Just when i think that the story is ending, Ella throws you an amazing totally unexpected turn that leaves you with your mouth hanging out, eyes wide and a "what the hell just happened here".
I recommend this story because of how the author uses really life and mixes it with a great fanatsy storyline. I cannot wait to read the next installment.
She is so like many of us when we put our minds to something and damn the consequences.
The story really shows her struggle and the means she will go to to complete it.
I loved all the character and how they fit together and enhance Naz'sj story.
I was on the edge of my seat when she finally sees the end of her life's mission. Will she succeed or will it end.
Just when i think that the story is ending, Ella throws you an amazing totally unexpected turn that leaves you with your mouth hanging out, eyes wide and a "what the hell just happened here".
I recommend this story because of how the author uses really life and mixes it with a great fanatsy storyline. I cannot wait to read the next installment.
March 22, 2022
Our heroine witnessed her father being murdered by a creature that officially doesn't exist. When no one believes her or will help, she sets out to find the killer herself. But the path of vengeance is taxing and can be very costly...
This is book one of the series, so a fine place to start.
This is a fast paced urban adventure series. The story is well written and easy to read with an intriguing setting. I definitely look forward to learning more about it in future books. The characters are also well developed with realistic personalities. Our heroine has some growing up to do as she is rather rash and focused on her revenge, not really thinking through her actions. I am hopeful that she will get a chance to grow in the future books. Otherwise, it might just be a very short series. Overall, a nice introduction and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Recommended
. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
This is book one of the series, so a fine place to start.
This is a fast paced urban adventure series. The story is well written and easy to read with an intriguing setting. I definitely look forward to learning more about it in future books. The characters are also well developed with realistic personalities. Our heroine has some growing up to do as she is rather rash and focused on her revenge, not really thinking through her actions. I am hopeful that she will get a chance to grow in the future books. Otherwise, it might just be a very short series. Overall, a nice introduction and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Recommended
. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
August 21, 2024
This was an interesting story. It is quite dark due to it's vampiric nature.
Narissa swore her fsther was killed by a vampire but nobody believed her. Blackwatch, the compant her father worked for, refused to help as well. So she set out to find the vampire with the scar. She first paid a vampire blood donor to switch places with her so she could get information. She met Calin the vampire who fed from her and they kind of became friends. A she kept searching for answes she found a place where the vamps gathered to on people sent by blackwatch. Naz and her witch friend decided to sneak in, that was a mistake. Once inside Naz couldn't believe her eyes. It was more like a revel. Wild things were happening and it didn't seem that the blood pact was keeping the vamps in check either. Then she saw the one shhe was looking for but that's when the trouble started.
The story was kind of slow going but the ending was very eventful and surprising.
Narissa swore her fsther was killed by a vampire but nobody believed her. Blackwatch, the compant her father worked for, refused to help as well. So she set out to find the vampire with the scar. She first paid a vampire blood donor to switch places with her so she could get information. She met Calin the vampire who fed from her and they kind of became friends. A she kept searching for answes she found a place where the vamps gathered to on people sent by blackwatch. Naz and her witch friend decided to sneak in, that was a mistake. Once inside Naz couldn't believe her eyes. It was more like a revel. Wild things were happening and it didn't seem that the blood pact was keeping the vamps in check either. Then she saw the one shhe was looking for but that's when the trouble started.
The story was kind of slow going but the ending was very eventful and surprising.
March 31, 2026
Having just finished the prequel collection, I was already familiar with most of the characters, aside from the main protagonist. Narissa did not appear directly but was briefly mentioned by Rey in Call of the Grimoire.
Although I did not get the outcome I had hoped for the characters in the prequels, particularly regarding Rey, I enjoyed getting to know Narissa. I must admit that Rey’s ultimate fate was a little disappointing, but that was simply how the story unfolded, so I went along with it.
Now it is time to read the second book and discover what lies in store for the characters, and whether Calin would survive for long, and how the vampire councils and Narissa’s relatives would react.
A slightly longer review will be available on my site as soon as I finish reading the series. 😉
Although I did not get the outcome I had hoped for the characters in the prequels, particularly regarding Rey, I enjoyed getting to know Narissa. I must admit that Rey’s ultimate fate was a little disappointing, but that was simply how the story unfolded, so I went along with it.
Now it is time to read the second book and discover what lies in store for the characters, and whether Calin would survive for long, and how the vampire councils and Narissa’s relatives would react.
A slightly longer review will be available on my site as soon as I finish reading the series. 😉
April 25, 2025
What a fantastic read! I am so impressed with the depth of the characters in this book...not just the FMC & MMC, but supporting ones as well. Not only do the characters respond to situations realistically, but Ella definitely has the ability to literally transport you into the story with her!
This book surprised me at the end...which isn't always easy to do... and I loved it! I cannot wait to read the next one in the series and I highly recommend this one if you want a book that is: Easy to read (and listen to), hard to put down, & has a well-thought out and executed plot!
Narration-Elyse is my favorite narrator and she did not disappoint with this one! She has a way of bringing the characters to life with inflection. Any book narrated by her will be amazing!
This book surprised me at the end...which isn't always easy to do... and I loved it! I cannot wait to read the next one in the series and I highly recommend this one if you want a book that is: Easy to read (and listen to), hard to put down, & has a well-thought out and executed plot!
Narration-Elyse is my favorite narrator and she did not disappoint with this one! She has a way of bringing the characters to life with inflection. Any book narrated by her will be amazing!
August 31, 2021
Overall, it's a good story. Naz (Narissa) has been looking for her father's killer for ten years. She has no real friends, but her acquaintances from Blackwatch, Oliver and Rey, are good substitutes even though they don't believe her claims about her father's murder. Things never seem to work out quite the way Naz would like but this title brings together many of the elements from the Dark Creatures Prequel Collection. I wonder where the next title will lead.
Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
January 19, 2022
This book pretty much runs full speed into the story line and I really enjoyed it. The main character is out to avenge her fathers' death from a vampire, which everyone says is impossible due to a 'blood pact', between humans and vampires, that has been in place for hundreds of years. So she has to do everything on the sly, with the help of her best friend, a witch, and her best friend and ex, an agent of the human group set up to protect humans and make sure the pact stays intact. It was exciting to the end, which is, of course, a cliffhanger, so I'm off to grab the next book!
* I was given a copy for an honest [always] review *
* I was given a copy for an honest [always] review *
May 19, 2026
Narissa has been hunting the vampire who murdered her father for ten years. No one believes she is right. Taking advantage of Oliver, a friend who works with Blackwood, she sets up a meeting with a vampire, hoping to ask some questions.
The vampire she is meeting is Calin, from the Son of the Vampire prequel.
This book has some action, mystery, suspense, surprises with a bit of humour and possible romance.
The characters are interesting and I can see multiple ways this whole series could go.
It is a fairly quick, easy read and I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
The vampire she is meeting is Calin, from the Son of the Vampire prequel.
This book has some action, mystery, suspense, surprises with a bit of humour and possible romance.
The characters are interesting and I can see multiple ways this whole series could go.
It is a fairly quick, easy read and I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
August 30, 2021
This is a great start to a new series. The FMC, Naz is consumed with finding the vampire who killed her father, despite a centuries old pact forbidding vampires from committing these types of crimes. I enjoyed that there are multiple supernatural factions at play in this gritty urban fantasy. Surprisingly, one of Naz’s secret supporters turns out to be a vampire named Calin, who begins to question everything he has been told over the years. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book.
January 27, 2022
Vampires, witches and wolf shifters...oh my!
No really this first book was a great introduction into all the types of characters I enjoy.
Well, I will say I still haven't made up my mind about Narissa yet. She is very me oriented without the thought of how her actions will affect others. So, I will need to see how the next book goes.
But bypass my personal feelings on Narissa and I have all positive remarks on how much I enjoyed this first book in a series that I seriously think is going to just keep better.
No really this first book was a great introduction into all the types of characters I enjoy.
Well, I will say I still haven't made up my mind about Narissa yet. She is very me oriented without the thought of how her actions will affect others. So, I will need to see how the next book goes.
But bypass my personal feelings on Narissa and I have all positive remarks on how much I enjoyed this first book in a series that I seriously think is going to just keep better.
June 19, 2024
I read the book over a period of 2 days. The reader is drawn right in to the story. It is told from the different characters perspectives. This was confusing at times, I had to go back and reread to try and figure out what the character was talking about. I do not want to give away any of the story but when you get towards the last part, I was totally lost and confused. Keep reading though because it will make some sense but the author is still very stingy with the explanations. And this of course was to get you to buy the next book in the series. So I give the end of the story 2 stars.
March 21, 2026
Dark Creatures
I had some trouble getting into the characters and their actions. Narissa at times comes across like she has all this knowledge yet turns around and behaves in a way that doesn't match with that. She says things that leads you to believe she cares deeply for a few people in her life, yet again her actions don't show that. I found myself wondering how her couple of friends still care about her, or has a switch flipped and she is a completely different person just for this part of the story, and they know someone different than I am seeing?
I had some trouble getting into the characters and their actions. Narissa at times comes across like she has all this knowledge yet turns around and behaves in a way that doesn't match with that. She says things that leads you to believe she cares deeply for a few people in her life, yet again her actions don't show that. I found myself wondering how her couple of friends still care about her, or has a switch flipped and she is a completely different person just for this part of the story, and they know someone different than I am seeing?
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