Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels, #4)

Nov 19, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: yummy-reapers

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Nov 10, 2012 Mersina rated it 3 of 5 stars

March 26th 2012

I just have to keep thinking only 4 more months and I shall have my hands on this!

October 2nd 2012

Only 35 more sleeps and I get my hands on this!! I am not exaggerating that I think of this series at least 3 times during the week.

I tend to daydream about Azriel ALLLLLLLL the time!

But apparently the ending to this book leaves you needing more!

November 8th 2012

About to start.....

I'm nervous......

And excited.....

But scared shitless because the ending leaves you wanting more (mo...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Jenevieve rated it 3 of 5 stars

The 4th book in the Dark Angels series. Risa is continuing to try and figure out where to find the keys that her father has charged her to find and who has stolen the first one that she found while continuing to struggle against her attraction to Lucian and with Azriel's refusal to deal with the attraction between the two of them. Now in her search for answers, she has come across a serial killer on the astral plane, one who has been taunting the Directorate and who now has his sights set on her...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Bookmom rated it 4 of 5 stars

The back story of locating the keys to the portals to Heaven and Hell continue in the book, along with trying to locate the sorcerer who stole the first key from Risa. Everyone wants the keys found, and all for different reasons. Risa is struck between a rock and a hard place when few who want it have any problem with threatening her friends to get her to do their bidding.

Risa, half Helki werewolf and half Aedh, uses Astral Travel for the first time in order to speak to a ghost, whom she hopes h...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Damiellar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, supernatural-themes, werewolves, angels, urban-fantasy, 2013rom

I really do like Keri Arthur's books and it's not just the setting. She doesn't make things easy for her heroines by any means so it keeps the tension up and makes it feel more realistic (well as realistic as books containing this degree of supernatural elements can).

Risa is up to her neck in problems still, (view spoiler)...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Ferdy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Spoilers

Risa investigates a series of vampire murders.

-Risa has gotten progressively worse with each installment. There wasn't one moment in the book where she didn't annoy me. Her sheer stupidity pissed me off time and time again. The dumb cow refused to see what was right in front of her even when she was told exactly what was going on. It was obvious her lover, Lucian, was playing her, Azriel warned her numerous times but did the thick bitch believe him or even entertain the thought that he m...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Dianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, own, paranormal-romance, fantasy, dark-angels-series

Once again, Keri Arthur has written an action packed novel ripe with romantic tension and imagination! Risa and Azriel may seem to have taken a step back from their romance, but have cranked up the tension until the electricity in the air is smoking hot!

Risa, half-Aedh/half-werewolf, is once again fighting for her life, this time against an unknown killer who is taunting her by forcing her to try and figure out clues he leaves leading to some of his victims, offering to allow her to save them if...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Half Werewolf, Half Aede Risa Jones can travel between the realms of life and death...and while she is traveling she confronts a man with no face as he is sucking the life out of a woman vampire. He says if she can find the woman in a short space of time, he will spare her life...and the games begin. Along with other jobs that Risa is forced to do for her father (after he threatens to kill her business partners/friends) she now has to play tag with a homicidal maniac that is now looking forward...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Krystal Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I get asked a lot who my favorite authors are. The list is a long one but, Keri Arthur makes it everytime. As urban-fantasy writers go she is one of the best. Her writing comes across as fearless and authentic. She is willing to follow the storylines anywhere and I love that.
Darkness Hunts is book 4 of the Risa Jones dark angels series. It is a spinoff of the much loved Riley Jenson series. The heroine, Risa Jones, is in demand and pulled in multiple directions in this installment. Many charact...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Cindyg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Damn I love Risa and Aziel, (he better turn out to be truly one of the good guys.) Risa deserves a break and she really does care for him. She's been betrayed by that worthless father of and don't even get me started Lucian.
Risa grows smarter, stronger and sexier with each installment. It usually means she's getting her ass kicked, heart broken or losing someone she loves.
I loved that Riley, Quinn and Rhoan were in several of the pages. I sure miss this trio. So having them back in the picture...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Mary-Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was so looking forward to this book, I love Keri Arthur's writing style...she doesn't have the annoying habit that many authors do of having a few pet sayings and repeating them over and over and I love that the books are set in Melbourne it's great to read a series with references to familiar places.
Having said that I was disappointed :( I felt like other than the plot advancements with Lucian not a lot happened to progress the story. I felt the book was a bit anti-climactic, the plot seemed...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for_review

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

Risa can’t even catch a good night’s sleep with all the trouble and danger that finds her. She’s still the key to finding the keys that many different people and beings want to get their hands on. The keys control the gates to heaven and hell and in the wrong hands those gates can be closed permanently, not allowing souls to cross and causing devastation when you consider babies being born without souls. Needless to say, the keys needs t...more Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

Risa can’t even catch a good night’s sleep with all the trouble and danger that finds her. She’s still the key to finding the keys that many different people and beings want to get their hands on. The keys control the gates to heaven and hell and in the wrong hands those gates can be closed permanently, not allowing souls to cross and causing devastation when you consider babies being born without souls. Needless to say, the keys needs to be found and destroyed and not fall into the wrong hands. Risa has a way to sense the keys, thanks to her dear old dad, a being who is now completely made of energy, but who finds ways to communicate with Risa whether she likes it or not. On top of this continuing key storyline that has been building since book 1, there’s a faceless man tormenting the Directorate. With Rhoan on the case, he brings in Risa as the faceless man is now targeting Risa after they have an encounter in one of the gray realms, a space not on earth, but just…between.

Risa and her reaper shadow, Azriel, are still trying to track clues and sources to get more information on the missing keys. That story takes a bit of a backseat to the faceless horror that is the man killing female vampires and playing with the Directorate because he’s bored and likes to mess with people. He’s made Risa his “girl”, making sure she’s the one who follows up on clues and leads to try to help save his victims. When Rhoan gets caught and his life is in danger, Risa’s all in and will do whatever it takes to save him and kill this threat, once and for all.

Poor Risa, I’m not sure how she stands upright sometimes. She’s run ragged in this book, constantly going from one clue to another, finding herself moving from one dangerous situation into another far worse one. She’s run down, everyone thinks she’s looks horrible (much to her delight) and she mentions more than once just wanting a big meal and sleep. She gets very little of both as the action comes at her fast and furious from page 1 and doesn’t let up until her final, dangerous battle with the faceless monster.

Also happening alongside all the action is her attraction to Lucian and the unnatural compulsion she has around him to never be able to say no to the lust that she feels in his presence. Lucian has seemed like he has an agenda from the first moment we met him back at the start of the series and was just using Risa via sex (to read her mind) to further his own plans. I can’t stand this guy and his relationship with Risa finally comes to a head in this story and while I was ready to smack Risa early on for constantly not listening to her own inner warnings about the guy, along with Azriel’s clear hatred of him, let’s just say with a little spell to help her, she finally comes to her senses and Lucian shows some of his true colors. I have no doubt there will be more to come where he’s concerned, but I was finally able to cheer for Risa and how she handled him. It’s been a long time coming.

“I don’t want to die, Azriel.”

“That is not an outcome that would please me, either.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Really? I mean, it would at least free you from my bothersome tendency to do what I want rather than listen to your good advice.”

Amusement briefly crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Is there not a saying about challenges being the spice of life?”

“Actually, it’s variety that’s the spice of life.”

“And you are nothing if not variable,” he agreed solemnly.

I laughed, then leaned forward and brushed a quick kiss across his lips. “Thank you.”

His hands clenched briefly against mine. I had no doubt he was fighting the urge to reach for me and deepen the kiss, because I was fighting the very same battle. “For what?” he said, voice controlled and very, very even.

“For making me laugh when all I want to do is cry.”

Now, Azriel. I love this guy. He’s so full of inner angst and we really don’t know the full story on that, but we do learn how his feelings for Risa are impacting him personally and how their connection is not a good thing in his eyes. He’s fighting between feeling like he needs to keep his distance so his mission regarding the keys can be seen through, but his feelings for Risa, which he shouldn’t have, are becoming hard to ignore. They have a strong connection that we’re finally given some details about and with the way this story ends, I can’t wait to see how that plays out. Azriel is a reaper, a more energy being than flesh, Risa is half werewolf/half Aedh and a future between them is virtually impossible. But, never say never in this world because Azriel has changed from book 1 to now and who knows what other changes may be happening in the future that would actually give this couple a reason to believe they might have just that, a future. This reader can only hope!

Rhoan, Riley and Quinn all make appearances throughout, especially Rhoan, whose life is put in danger giving Risa all the excuse she needs to go all in against the faceless enemy. I always love seeing my favorites Riley and Quinn in any small way, and I like the way they’ve become family to Risa. She needs them and they’re always there for her.

This is definitely a series that should be read in order. The main missing key storyline keeps building with each book and the relationship between Risa and Azriel is more powerful to have followed them from the beginning. Risa is turning into a strong fighter, even if all she wants to do is be left alone to run her restaurant with her two best friends; that’s not a possibility for her right now. She’s too unique a character to just sit on the sidelines and she’s proving to be a kickass heroine who has to play a lot of different sides to balance all the people in her life who want something from her. I’m enjoying this series more and more with each book and love the direction its heading. (less)

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Nov 24, 2012 Stacy rated it 3 of 5 stars

When this series started, it had us all fired up for this hunt for the keys to the gates of heaven/hell/death/whatever. Since then, that BIG HUNT seems to have been relegated to a plot device that allows Risa to be tortured at will and that gives the main characters fodder to endlessly snipe at each other, without Ever. Actually. Doing. ANYTHING. In the meantime, Risa gets sent off on some random mystery of the week that does absolutely nothing to advance the supposed real story. At this point,...more

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May 06, 2013 Kevin Mann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: female-lead, futuristic, magic-or-powers, mythology, romance-involved, supernatural, vampire, werewolf, witch-or-warlock

Risa is at it again in this thrilling fourth installment of the Dark Angels series. Risa runs in to an astral traveler at the beginning of this book, and has to find and stop the madman that is killing off the vampires of Melbourne. With her demon sword Amaya, who is becoming more like her and her more like the demon in the sword, she has a chance of success. Will it be enough? This series just keeps building, and just when you think it can't get any better, Keri Arthur pulls something out that...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Fern rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

This series just keeps getting better and better. Risa is firmly becoming one of my favourite heroines but I do wonder just how much more she can have done to her before it finally all becomes too much. I'd almost forgotten about the keys in this one until almost near the end when they came back up. I didn't really care there was more than enough action and adventure to keep me firmly gripped to this book. I found myself almost cheering at points especially her showdown with Lucian I always knew...more

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May 04, 2013 Darlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-52-reads-choices

This wasn't a bad book,but I can see why some people didn't like it as much as the previous one in the series. If anything, this is a transition book. Certain things happen to change the relationships between some of the key characters in this novel, but not a whole lot of death-defying action or sexy times. Even the baddie in the novel seems to drop out of the story line for much of the novel, which undercuts any tension that might have been present. I can see that it's setting up the series fo...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Kathy Davie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, urban

Fourth in the Dark Angels urban fantasy series featuring Risa Jones. This series carries on from Riley Jenson, Guardian, which was a much better series, in my opinion.

My Take
Oh, brother. Risa is getting so stupid. And I hate stupid characters when they're supposed to be the good guys. She gets mad because Azriel pulls back. To protect himself from harm. How can you claim to love someone and want to do things that will hurt them?

Then, she almost purposely avoids eating or sleeping---I suspect it'...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Bea rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bea-s-book-nook, authors-who-are-awesome-people, reviews, romance, urban-fantasy, mystery, read-in-2013, 2013-bcc-100-books-challenge, 2013-gr-reading-challenge

Judging by the reviews on goodreads and Amazon, I am in the minority in my feelings for this book. It left me lukewarm, impatient and I probably won't read the next one.

There's not much forward movement in the overall story arc: 2 steps forward, 4 steps back; too much repetition of events from one book to the next; and too many coincidences. But really, it's the slowness of the main arc that's bothering me. We're four books in and not a lot has happened. Each book has the main arc and then a plo...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review, hardcopy

Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

For the most part, Risa Jones' mixed werewolf and Aedh heritage gives her a large advantage over most of her opponents. However, even her ability to see the dead and turn into a being of pure energy can't seem to help her stop a malicious killer that is preying on women. Even worse, he knows who she is, and has turned his attentions to ensnaring Risa into a nasty game of a race between life and death. Meanwhile she's still being targeted fro...more Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

For the most part, Risa Jones' mixed werewolf and Aedh heritage gives her a large advantage over most of her opponents. However, even her ability to see the dead and turn into a being of pure energy can't seem to help her stop a malicious killer that is preying on women. Even worse, he knows who she is, and has turned his attentions to ensnaring Risa into a nasty game of a race between life and death. Meanwhile she's still being targeted from all sides to find the keys to the gates, and even with the help of the Reaper Azriel at her side it may just prove to be an impossible task. Speaking of Azriel, the attraction between them is only growing stronger, but succumbing could lead to an unimaginable fate that neither of them wants.

I really love how these books not only follow a strong overall arc theme, but each one also has its own individual plot. This is my favorite type of series as it keeps things fresh by adding a whole new threat element with each installment, but it also strongly ties things together by adding developments to the overall series threat, this case being the Gate Key Quest. Although, these books take that intertwining aspect a step even further by not only having the in your face new threat, but also having several different factions going after the "prize", with Risa stuck right in the middle. There is just so much going on that there isn't a single opportunity to get bored, and that's my kind of book!

Not since Mac and Barrons from the Fever series have I been this strung out from the sexual tension between two characters. Sure, there have been plenty of other books where I really want the characters to "get together," but all of those pale in comparison to how I feel about Risa and Azriel. I had thought some of the unrelenting pressure would have been lessened due to them succumbing in the last installment. Unfortunately, it seems to only have brought things to an even higher fever pitch. I realize that this is a series, and Keri can't really have them get their happy ever after yet, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see some kind of promise or hope, or really anything at all between them other than this miserable stasis they are in. Granted, Risa seemed much more willing to give into her emotions, making me really feel for her as she was having a very hard time dealing with the distance forced upon them. I will say that even though Azriel's resistance and emotional armor only slips a few brief times, it is rather obvious that he is suffering from the distance as well. I just cannot wait until they both finally crack, because I think there will be some major fireworks flying. Hopefully that will be in the next book, otherwise I myself might just crack under the pressure.

Although the ending left me needing more, I absolutely loved this book! It really amazes me just how much further I get sucked into this series with each new installment released. The only problem with that high level of enjoyment is that it makes the wait between books even harder. That being said, I can easily see myself re-reading this series several times, as it has earned itself a solid place on my all time favorites list. Fans of this series, cannot possibly be disappointed in this latest installment as Darkness Hunts is an absolute thrilling ride from start to finish! (less)

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Sep 28, 2012 Amber I. (AwesomeSauce Book Club) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

You know I have said so many times before but I love Keri Arthur. Although at the beginning of this book I wasn't sure if I was going to be in love. Its mainly due to the fact that I think Risa was being very naive when it came to a certain man in her life. I just wanted to punch her. But I finally got my way. And man oh man the very last sentence in this book has been screaming that I WANT MORE RIGHT THE FREAK NOW!

Once again Risa has a new and not very easy mission ahead of her. First she needs...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Syahira Sharif rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adult, angel, crime, contemporary, drama, horror, paranormal, romance, urban-fantasy, vampire

Darkness Hunts is the fourth book of the Dark Angel series about Risa Jones, half-werewolf and half-Aedh woman who was in an unfortunate circumstance that involved with her existence as the daughter of an Aedh who had created several keys that could unlock and lock the doors between the realms where everyone wanted her for the power to wield the keys. All include the vampire council, the Raziqs, other kind of monsters and also the heavens where a reaper Azriel were sent down to shadow Risa where...more Darkness Hunts is the fourth book of the Dark Angel series about Risa Jones, half-werewolf and half-Aedh woman who was in an unfortunate circumstance that involved with her existence as the daughter of an Aedh who had created several keys that could unlock and lock the doors between the realms where everyone wanted her for the power to wield the keys. All include the vampire council, the Raziqs, other kind of monsters and also the heavens where a reaper Azriel were sent down to shadow Risa wherever she goes. However, bad things tailed her wherever she goes, starting from her father trying to launch her into finding the missing keys and the unexplained slaughter of her mother, the attraction between a fallen Aedh, Lucian that spiraled her down into a mess when Lucian himself isn’t what he seems, to the Raziqs tortures and her friends problems that seemed to have come from the mess she was in. Risa was in an ultimate limbo where she was in the middle of everything where her world had turned a full 180 degrees around her.

In this book, we are focused on the previous books about the ley lines and Risa’s inability to communicate with the dead. When she astral projected herself to talk to someone who had died in the previous book, she heard a scream and when she decided to investigate it, she found herself with an unknown adversary who taunted her to save the woman’s life. When Risa tried to save the woman, she was too late. The killer then found ways to taunt Risa via the directorate where he had already developed a reputation as a serial killer and offered Risa another chance to save the life of his future victims. If she was fast enough that is…

I had my suspicion on Lucian and this mirrors with Azriel’s frustration with Risa’s relationship with the Aedh and their new problem of assimilating with each other that made the reaper and Risa’s attraction becoming more forbidden. But Risa began to notice that Lucian might have done something to her that made him irresistible to her and I was glad that this book pan out with that line of the story. He had become one of my suspect in the book and he does get even more suspicious than ever.

As for the mystery plot, I do enjoy the cat and mouse chase between Risa and the unknown serial killer. But the overall plot about the keys became stunted since Risa’s became embedded by the device that warned her father’s presence to the Razan.

I did enjoy the mystery more than the story about the whole key mess and since the book have three more in the series, it does hooked me as a crime story than as a paranormal book so I will wait for the subsequent installments of the series to satisfy my curiousity.(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 Carmel (Rabid Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I thoroughly enjoyed the fourth installment in Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series. The fact that Risa's in a race against time for most of this book definitely amps up the intensity level. Plus, her love life undergoes quite the upheaval; Lucian's real motives are finally revealed (I never liked him) and Azriel throws caution into the wind (about time!). As a stand alone story this novel delivers on all fronts but as part of this series' bigger picture it falls short. Again...more Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I thoroughly enjoyed the fourth installment in Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series. The fact that Risa's in a race against time for most of this book definitely amps up the intensity level. Plus, her love life undergoes quite the upheaval; Lucian's real motives are finally revealed (I never liked him) and Azriel throws caution into the wind (about time!). As a stand alone story this novel delivers on all fronts but as part of this series' bigger picture it falls short. Again. For the second book in a row I'm left speculating where the main plot line went. I love these books and Keri Arthur's writing but I'm beginning to wonder when the Dark Angel novels are going to get back on track.

As I mentioned, I enjoyed the story line of this installment because it forced me to think outside the box. The clues cross multiple plains of existence and as a result, Risa has no choice but to get a little creative in order to catch the killer. No stone is left unturned and no contact is left unexplored. Thanks to Arthur's layer upon layer of cleverness, Darkness Hunts kept me guessing up until the very end. I was surprised to see Jak in this story. I'd originally thought that he'd served his purpose in Darkness Devours and that that was the last we were going to see of him. However, now I'm thinking he's a replacement for Lucian in Risa's love triangle after the Aedh showed his true colours.

Azriel has caused me endless amounts of frustration in this series and continued to do so for the greater part of Darkness Hunts. He's been my pick for Risa since the get-go and after that jaw dropping ending I think that he may have finally seen the light. YES!! The reaper reveals quite a bit in this installment but there are still several unanswered questions. At least we're making some progress! I hope this forward momentum continues because I am sick and tired of his indecisiveness. I don't know how Risa puts up with it.

My biggest complaint with this novel is that it didn't really further the keys / gates of hell story line. There is some mention of them which is something at least because they weren't even a blip on the radar in Darkness Devours. Risa finally gets the clue she needs to start looking for the next key but this didn't happen until the very end of the book. In my opinion, she should have gotten this lead in the previous book and spent this installment looking for it but that's just me. Ooh, and one other thing, Risa is once again kidnapped and held underground where her reaper can't track her. This has happened in every single installment so far. I think that it's time to come up with some new material because this one's getting rather redundant.

I've been a fan of Keri Arthur's for years now; she's one of my top three favourite authors and Darkness Hunts proves once again why she more than deserves her spot on my list. You can't go wrong with the Dark Angels books; the pacing is relentless, the story is top notch and the ending will leave you begging for more.

(less)

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Nov 09, 2012 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publisher-author

On top of trying to find the missing keys for her psycho Dad Risa now has a serial killer messing with her, sending her on wild goose chases to save his victims and waiting for his chance to take her on. I really have enjoyed following Risa's story and I can not imagine anyone not loving this series. I would recommend starting from book one to make sure you don't get lost at any point in the story.

Risa has zero downtime as usual. In the very first chapter Risa meets the new murdering stalker. I...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Heather Book Savvy Babe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-demons, urban-fantasy, netgalley, review-on-blog

I am a huge fan of this Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur and have enjoyed this series even more than the Riley Jensen series. The worlds are the same, and many characters are the same as well. However, Risa is a very different character than Riley Jensen. There is just something about Risa that I really love. I think I love Risa’s character because she doesn’t have the confidence or ego that Riley sometimes had. Risa is in may ways a reluctant heroine, just trying to make her way through trials...more I am a huge fan of this Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur and have enjoyed this series even more than the Riley Jensen series. The worlds are the same, and many characters are the same as well. However, Risa is a very different character than Riley Jensen. There is just something about Risa that I really love. I think I love Risa’s character because she doesn’t have the confidence or ego that Riley sometimes had. Risa is in may ways a reluctant heroine, just trying to make her way through trials and problems while growing into her supernatural abilities at the same time. Risa does what she has to, to the best of her ability, hoping that she will come out alive at the end, but never really knowing.

While I love the series and the characters, I was frustrated with Risa and her Reaper guardian Azriel. The angst between them is at an all time high in Darkness Hunts. They both are attracted to each other, they have a strong connection, but Azriel does not want to compromise his mission and stubbornly refuses to act on those feelings. As a result, they try to keep each other at a distance, but that only causes more harm. The angst lasts through the entire book, and I got tired of hearing the same argument repeatedly.

With each book, I began to like Lucian (an aedh and Risa’s lover) less and less. In Darkness Hunts, more is revealed about Lucian’s motivations and the depth of his desires for revenge. Risa begins to wise up to his true nature, but she still holds on to some very naive hopes. I love Risa, but sometimes her hesitation to face the truth is not only damaging to her, but also frustrating to read. It’s not just with Lucian either, her relationship with her ex also seems very odd to me, especially when she allows herself to feel desire for these people who hurt her so much.

The action is non-stop through Darkness Hunts. Risa is constantly pulled between her obligations in finding the keys as well as finding the murderer. Yet with all the action, there was not much progression to the main story of finding the keys. When the action wasn’t the focus, the angst was. I am really hoping that the events of Darkness Hunts gives the characters more clarity and room for the story to develop more in the next book. I am ready for Risa and Azriel make more headway with the keys and I am looking forward to what happens next for them. The ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger, and book five can’t come fast enough.

With a brilliant, dark paranormal world and a vulnerable yet kick-butt heroine, the Dark Angels series is a must read for urban fantasy readers. I do recommend reading the books in order as earlier books set the foundations and history for the series.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Paige rated it 4 of 5 stars

I want to give this four stars but feel it probably deserves 3.5.

I really enjoy Keri Arthur's books and have been enjoying this series as well but... This book came across as a little contrived. I grew tired of Risa and Azriel pining for each other and whining about how they feel about each other but needed to keep their distance due to fate and a future they didn't want to mess up. Whatever. There is an attraction and it seems that the books have been leading toward them being together. The dra...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Kristy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, sience-fantasy, 2012-dhc, witches-and-warlocks, paranormal

Authur: Keri Arthur
Series: The Dark Angels Series (Book 4)
Star Rating: 4 stars

I enjoyed this book. In this book she is still on the quest for the keys for several different people and the dangers just get worse. With her Reaper by her side and amaya on her back they make their journey. Again there is more fighting, secrets revealed, and the relationship between Azriel and Risa is growing.

I would have completely loved it if Risa was not so stubborn. However that is her and in her nature. Though...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Michelle Leah Olson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: literal-addiction-books, reviewed

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
If you follow my reviews, you know that I'm a huge fan of Keri Arthur's. You also know that I LOVE the DARK ANGELS series. So, when I received an advance reading copy of Darkness Hunts from the Publisher in return for an honest review I was thrilled. I have absolutely devoured every installment of the series thus far with nothing but rave reviews and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

This book was a little different than the...more Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
If you follow my reviews, you know that I'm a huge fan of Keri Arthur's. You also know that I LOVE the DARK ANGELS series. So, when I received an advance reading copy of Darkness Hunts from the Publisher in return for an honest review I was thrilled. I have absolutely devoured every installment of the series thus far with nothing but rave reviews and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

This book was a little different than the ones before. It wasn't quite as action-packed; at least not until closer to the end. It was, however, one of the most emotion filled books I've had the pleasure of reading all year. The over-all feel of the story was incredibly visceral and while immersed in the tale I almost found it hard to breath in sections because it was slightly overwhelming (in a completely wonderful way). I switched rapidly from doubt, betrayal, frustration, yearning, worry, fear, apprehension, and many more. There was something incredibly organic about Darkness Hunts and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though for different reasons than I loved the first three books of the series.

I have to be honest and say that I'm not sure if all fans of the series will like this installment. Keri gifted us all with something we've been waiting long and hard for in Darkness Devours and Darkness Hunts doesn't quite continue that gift giving. It instead pulls back, and in doing so, explores the more human side of the characters. It was beautiful and yet utterly frustrating at the same time.

Risa continues to get herself into bind after bind and Keri takes us, as readers, along with her. There's actually a quote from page 237 of the ARC that I have to share because it's gorgeously written and so encompassing of the series thus far. Risa's dwelling on things that have happened and thinks: "...because I knew, no matter what, there was no going back. This path, this journey, was leading me inexorably into darkness, and I knew with every fiber of my being it was a darkness from which I would not escape."

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Darkness Hunts 5 Skulls for its viscerally organic nature and beautiful prose that literally made my heart ache, as well as for an ending that will have all DARK ANGEL fans clamoring for more!(less)

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Nov 11, 2012 Ronda rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any Paranormal Fan

Shelves: 2012-favourites

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Keri Arthur for a cliff hanger that is going to last around 7 months!!!!! (Not!) Boy, what an ending to another fantastic Dark Angel Story!!!

I think most of my friends know that Keri Arthur is on my favourite shelf and has been for a long time. Having read all of her books, this lady never fails to disappoint me, I can't see that she ever will!

With Darkness Hunts, it seems a lot of the mystery has crawled out of the wood work and is now staring us in th...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3 Stars

I was thrilled when I picked up the first book in the Dark Angels series. I'm a huge fan of The Riley Jenson series and couldn't wait to once again immerse myself in that world. And as expected, I loved Risa and Darkness Unbound was a spectacular read. But....

I have issues with this installment and the direction of the series in general. Because I'm a fan of Keri Arthur's work, I'm going to attempt to explain rather than simply ranting. My biggest complaint is the progression, or lack the...more 3 Stars

I was thrilled when I picked up the first book in the Dark Angels series. I'm a huge fan of The Riley Jenson series and couldn't wait to once again immerse myself in that world. And as expected, I loved Risa and Darkness Unbound was a spectacular read. But....

I have issues with this installment and the direction of the series in general. Because I'm a fan of Keri Arthur's work, I'm going to attempt to explain rather than simply ranting. My biggest complaint is the progression, or lack thereof, in the series. I feel like books 1-4 have almost identical plots that it's hard to distinguish one from another. To some degree in every book Risa does the following: hunts for the keys, is sexually frustrated with Azriel, manipulated by Lucien, must protect her loved ones that are threatened, harassed by Hunter, AND captured and tortured. All while trying to solve another case that's dumped on her lap.

Though the 'case' is different in each book, the rest seems to remain the same. While reading Darkness Hunts, I kept asking myself "didn't the same thing happen in the last book?" or "did I already read that part?" Nothing felt terribly NEW in Darkness Hunts. Sadly, this made the book easy to put down and even the gritty actions scenes, couldn't stave off feelings of boredom.

My second biggest irritation is Lucien. I found myself disgusted by the lying, manipulation, and even hate Risa tolerated, simply because 'he's amazing in bed.' Honestly, it was hard to read. Thankfully, it does seem like now she's done with him. Unfortunately, it seemed to take assault to her get there. I was glad
it was finally revealed to the reader and Risa, who Lucien really is and how he connects with her father. That was very telling on so many levels.

On a more positive note, I do like the relationship developing between Risa and Azriel. From his introduction in the first book, it was readily apparent Azriel was a man that was meant to be in her life. The pace of their developing relationship is another thing. It's painfully slow. Although their 'moments' together are explosive and delicious to read, I can't see any big changes in the immediate future.

My favorite characters Riley, Rhoan, Quinn all made appearances.

Darkness Hunts isn't an easy book to rate. There were a few parts I loved, but they did not make up for the areas I found lacking. Still even with all the problems I had reading this, Keri Arthur's writing skills are still amazing and I will continue the series.(less)

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Nov 06, 2012 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, author-keri-arthur, books-i-own, drinks-on-me, favorites, king-of-the-harem, my-hottie-harem, read-in-2012, review-requests, reapers, series-dark-angels, genre-urban-fantasy, vampires, witches

Posted on Under the Covers

In the fourth book of the Dark Angels series, Arthur takes a slightly different approach to the storyline. Yes, the keys are needed to make everything right in the world. However, there is a more pressing matter that Risa and Azriel have to attend to. On the astral plane, there is a killer who likes to play games. He claims that it is his duty to rid the world of its evil, so one by one, he is killing off women. To make things even more drastic is the fact that this kil...more Posted on Under the Covers

In the fourth book of the Dark Angels series, Arthur takes a slightly different approach to the storyline. Yes, the keys are needed to make everything right in the world. However, there is a more pressing matter that Risa and Azriel have to attend to. On the astral plane, there is a killer who likes to play games. He claims that it is his duty to rid the world of its evil, so one by one, he is killing off women. To make things even more drastic is the fact that this killer has no face. On the astral plane, his features don’t exist, which makes it even more difficult for Risa to pin him down. Also, he aims to make this a game by contacting Risa and giving her enough incentive to go searching for these victims until their time is up. In a way, Risa is a pawn in a deadly game of chess. But never count Risa out. She has her eyes set on winning.

In the process, Uncle Rhoan is there to guide her and Azriel is there to protect her. But even then, sometimes Risa is too late. More and more people are dying and she is always one step away from saving them. Jak and Lucian have a considerable amount of page time in this book. Risa explores her relationships with both of them and for one of them, the ties are completely severed because of one act that dissolved her trust in him. You need to read the book to find out who and why.

It seems that Risa has chosen one of the guys to be with. Azriel and Risa have had this chemistry from the very beginning so it’s really no spoiler when I say that they have decided that this thing between them in different than what they have with others. However, it’s not all flowery things and happy endings yet. Arthur explores their relationship, both the ups and downs, in a way that keeps readers riveted to the pages. She teases you and coaxes a few smiles because of the sweetness of some scenes, but then there is also heartbreak and sadness as well. Risa and Azriel are learning how to be together. When one person is a celestial being while the other is flesh and bone, having a “normal” relationship has a slightly different meaning to them. With the way Arthur ends this book, she gives those romantic readers some hope that there is a chance to see something good come out of this relationship. But, as is the case with all relationships, it’s about the journey of getting to that happily-ever-after that is part of the ride as well.

*ARC provided by publisher(less)

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Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels #4)

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