"Friends are like condoms. They protect you when things get hard."
That’s what my five best friends said when we were younger. But that was before we found out our souls were fated and that we were destined for more.
I don't know if there's a condom out there that's strong enough to protect us from what's coming our way now.
In the midst of natural disasters wreaking havoc on earth, we must claw our way out of the pit of grief we find ourselves in after a tragic loss, because another realm is counting on us to save it from a great evil.
A realm that we apparently used to call home and can't remember.
Welcome to the disaster that is my life.
Grab a seat and buckle up, because no way am I letting us die.
Content warning: Darkness Rising is a series that touches on some dark themes such as noncon and child SA. This book has a 18+ warning. This set contains all three books in the series—Desolation, Detonation, and Devastation—as well as a brand-new bonus prequel and extended epilogue.*
R.L. Caulder is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in her writing cave away from the intense heat of the Florida sun with her husband and furry writing assistants, MeowMeow and Winrey. Life is never boring for R.L., who has hundreds of imaginary friends constantly vying for her attention and begging for their stories to be told.
If you're looking for ways to interact with R.L., you can find her on Facebook, in her group: The Cauldron: R.L. Caulder Reader Group
I first have to say the covers for this series are absolutely gorgeous! Darkness Rising has everything from incredible characters to amazing world building and a heart pumping storyline!
We are introduced in Desolation, book 1, to Lana, a phenomenal MFC, and there is so much that happens in this first book that readers will not be able to put it down for a moment. I loved the interactions between her and her men, who also happen to be her best friends, and I was very excited to delve into book 2, Detonation. We get a lot of great backstory on Lana's life and further fantastic moments between her and her men in book 2. Lana has some really interesting growth in Detonation that makes her character that much enjoyable to follow, and it just makes me that much more interested to find out what will happen next for these characters. Once we hit book 3, Devastation, this page tuner was off the charts! The journey for these characters has been wild and difficult, but Lana and her men continue to persevere. There were some great steamy moments between them, and a lot of action and adventure. Definitely an epic conclusion for the Darkness Rising series!
This was a captivating series and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
I absolutely L O V E D this series. It all centers around Lana...a fierce, witty, snarky, playful, big hearted warrior who will cut you with words if you harm those she loves. She and her guys/BFF's are all turning 21 on the same day. Having been raised most of their lives by the same beloved foster mother, they're incredibly close...one unit. Twenty one is a major milestone for anyone, however none of them could've forseen just how drastically ALL their lives would change in ONE day. In a world where extremely harsh/dangerous weather kills indiscriminantly, everyone lives each day to the fullest. They'd need their bond to get through the revelations and changes to come. There's tons of action, suspense, snarky comments, magic, past lives, gods and goddesses, steamy scenes and ohhhhhh sooooo much more within these pages. Get ready for an AMAZING cast of characters and world building that will quickly draw you in. Gear up everyone, things are about to get REALLY interesting 😉💗.
A brilliant trio of books (Desolation, Detonation and Devastation) in The Darkness Rising series. Which follows Lana in a disastrous new world where having lost their parents Lana and her guys - Hale, Ash, Zedd and twin brothers - Leo & Luke are all brought up together in a family of their own making. Except friends turn into a lot more between all of them. Thats not not the only story going on here though and that makes this a much more gripping read. Lana and the guys have a reason for being together. One that will either be their downfall or the salvation of the world. Its filled to the brim with love, tears and a few laughs too. Its a cracking trilogy with plenty of fast paced action, tension and a great characters too. I just loved it
This book is a compilation of Desolation, Detonation, and Devastation. It also includes a bonus Prequel and a bonus extended epilogue. I’m so glad that I went ahead and purchased this series in this format. I loved the additions of the prequel and extended epilogue, because you got to know more of the character’s stories.
This series follows Lana and her foster brothers, Ash, Hale, Zedd, Leo, and Luke. All six of these people have such different personalities and traumatic backgrounds that it adds depth to what goes on in the story. The storyline moves at a good pace and does not disappoint. I recommend giving this a try.
Such a fab series of bingable books! I love teh way this author introduces you to the characters in book 1 where they are fairly niave and just finding themselves and the journey she takes you on as tehy develop and grow in strength This final part of teh storey will answer all teh questions you had and some you didnt even know existed. I also felt an emotional connection to thsi book and character so expect to shed teh off ter or two Wonderful storey with a satisfactory ending that wont dissapoint!
This is an amazing collection. Each of the books will grab you and keep you interested and reading until the end. They each move along at a pace which is the perfect fit for the stories. They each have characters that are unique and you want to know them better and you cannot help but love them and the great thing about them being together in a collection is that when you finish one you have another there ready for you. This is a series that needs to be read, you will not be sorry that you did.
Such an amazing debut series from this author. I am blown away. I love the main character and the storyline. The characters and real, each one having their own unique personality. I love that the chapters from the Male POVs actually sound like a male would talk. The transition from the group thinking they are human to developing their powers and learning about other realms is smooth and well thought out. There's humor, lots of steam, one strong heroine who has come into her powers and now kicks butt, and lots of action. A fantastic series. I couldn't put it down
This series is one of my go-to favorites. Friends to lovers, epic love, and a villain you hate to love and love to hate. It’s a wonderful series, and now it’s available in one binge-able book!
I love the bonus prologue and epilogues, as any extra time with these characters, in this world, is appreciated.
If you haven’t read this before, DO IT! It’s a lovely series, with a truly unique story that you won’t be able to put down. Definitely one of my all time favorites!
This series is just SO ba#@$$! I loved the storyline because it was very unique and I loved how the main characters interacted with each other. At first, the attraction seemed like it was taking forever, but finally it all clicked into place and the chemistry started flowing.
The action and suspense scenes were pretty cool! There were so many oooo and awww moments, I really enjoyed them!
Overall, the series is really good! It was a really good happy ending, so that made me happy :)
This series is absolutely AMAZING. It's got everything you could ever hope for! Action, drama, love, loss, heartbreak, and the list goes on and on. The characters are absolutely amazing and their growth is phenomenal. It's so relatable on so many levels. Yes, they show so much immaturity for their age, but that just makes their glow up SOOOO much more spectacular. I absolutely love Lana and her crazy nick name. Especially Witch Bitch and her nick name, Anal 🤣🤣🤣🤣. If you don't read these books, you are absolutely missing out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Amazing boxset. I loved these books. Lana is reincarnated, destined to hopefully not make the same mistakes and devestate the world all over again. Surrounded by her men... Who have more secrets than the little crush they have harbouring for lana. The Goddess Gaia is looking over them, but even she is not being as forthcoming as she could be . These were fantastic books and i could not put them down.
R.L. Caulder’s Darkness Rising series is set in a somewhat post apocalyptic world full of frequently occurring natural disasters and populated by a host of supernatural creatures. Desolation created all kinds of feels for me as Lana travelled along the path set for her by fate. Detonation took a turn to the darker side from Desolation. Devastation brought out the sass and strength in all the characters. Reader discretion advised due to dark subject matter and/or possible triggers.
I've been na fan since book 1 and now it's a series boxset. Great deal. The blurb there about best friends are like condoms caught me and I had it on pre-order a long time. It has everything you want in a good story. Heartache, love, steamy and everything in between. I love Lana and the woman she was destined to become along with her guys who she did need to achieve this. A must read series!
So much tragedy and sadness that I was almost in tears throughout parts of this story. The action and adventure never cease. The people captured my heart. The twists were captivating and so very interesting. I'm so glad I read this series and I look forward to reading more.
This series will have you hooked from beginning to end. We have friends that learn more about who and what they are as well as discover the feelings they all have for each other. This series has plot twists and enimies that need to be beat.
I really enjoyed reading this series. The progression was done well and the characters kept you intrigued. The special scenes between Lana and her men didn’t hurt at all. I definitely recommend this box set!!
I love how the author pulls me into the character where I can really feel the emotion! Lots of twists and intrigue, with an ending that has lots of action and heat! If you like sweet, hot HEA's, you're going to love this set!
they were all adopted in same home, find out fated mates, she is queen to another realm there was a battle and they all lost, they are reborn on earth and now need to go back and fight she becomes the Goddess Mother Nature in the end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It was ok. Skimmed to get thru it. Started good then kinda fell for me. Story is heartfelt but it was just missing something. I felt like it more about her and less of the relationships and then by the time it got there I was over it and started skimming to get to the end. Slow burn.
It is an amazing story with magic, a made family, and a war between darkness and light. Lana is a strong and resilient woman who doesn’t let her troubled past deter her from being a wonderful queen who attempts to fox a broken world.
The triggers, and the backgrounds, and the comebacks. All pretty compelling. :) I fell in love with them all. I would love to read Eros’ story and hopes he catches hell! lol
This is a really great series. I love the characters and found them well developed. The story throughout is well written and keeps you engaged. I would definitely recommend this series.
OMG one of my all time top 10 series to read. I loved every minute of it and wish there was going to be more. you will not be disappointed but be prepared to get lost in an epic adventure!
Thoroughly recommend this author. All her series have strong characters & detailed plots. Genuinely cant put them down until I finish all the available books.