ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3 Stars
I love Katie Reus military romance series, unfortunately I'm not a huge fan of Darkness Rising.

Sparks fly in this action crazy finale to a series that has been filled with ups and downs, as a healer and warrior find a way to cope with their fate as mates. Fans of this series have watched again and again as Ms. Reus created magic and pulled us into the lives of these characters and made us fall in love right along with the individuals that were the focus of each new story. This final story has a lot of changes for the world and there is so much going on that one might expect that the love between Greer and Reaper takes a backseat but that just wasn’t the case here. Greer has gone through a lifetime of drama and is finally free from having a domineering man trying to control her life and she is in no hurry to allow the alpha warrior to sink his claws into her life much less her heart and soul, despite her inner beast crying out for him. Reaper doesn’t understand the gentle woman that has been proclaimed his mate, but he is willing to fight tooth and claw for her so that he has a chance to keep her for eternity. There is no denying that the have a lot of personal challenges to face in this story, but the fact that they come together to keep the world safe and improve the lives of those around them is the real magic of this story. I loved every second of reading Greer and Reaper’s love story and getting to know these two characters was an amazing experience. Greer was a sweet woman with a backbone of steel and she was more than woman enough for Reaper, once she decided that she wanted him, but I loved seeing her in action as she worked with their team to keep those around them safe when the shit began to hit the fan. Reaper is a badass, straight up, but it was hilarious to watch him deal with woman troubles and navigating the pitfalls of his new relationship, while trying to maintain that image. The passion between Reaper and Greer was undeniable and their inner beasts certainly added fuel to the fire, but my personal favorite moments were watching them truly mesh together into a strong team, showing their devotion and ability to overcome all obstacles and have a beautiful eternity together. While I was terribly sad to find out this series is ending, I know that Katie always has something amazing waiting for us in the wings and I am looking forward to whatever comes next, though I of course will have a special place in my heart for any wolf shifters she might send us! 😉

It’s been a minute since I read the last book in this series so all the names was more than a little confusing. (“Who is Bo again? Who is Cynara? How are they connected again?”) But other than that, I liked this story.

I liked Greer and Reaper. Not as much as I love Bo and Nyx or Keelin and Bran. They’re okay as MC’s.

Honestly? I didn’t feel much for them. And I think it’s because their love story takes a backseat to the fact that this is the last book of this series. There were a LOT of loose ends to tie up.

Because setting the scene for epic battles and for a spin off series was more at the forefront of this story, their romance, to me anyway, felt like a box to tick off. “Okay, they’re going to mate, but wait can’t let that happen yet, gotta insert fight scene here....” I dunno. Heck, I felt more feels because of Cynara and Justus.

Still, this was a good way to end this series and start a new one.

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! I received a review copy, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I own this whole series save this one book which I will own in the future!

The cover is conservative, but he is shirtless so bonus!

This is the final book in the series, but I do believe I read somewhere that there will be a spin-off series picking up where this ends. This is for adults only do to the steamy content and violence.

This is Greer the healer’s story and an ancient who wakes up named Reaper. They do not get off to a great start, but they grow on each other and Reaper learns to curb his ordering around alpha tendencies. Something is going on and when Reaper sets off to find some of his comrade in arms, the Alpha sends Greer to keep an eye on everything to report back to him. They make some grisly discoveries and have to thwart a devious plot to harm humans. This story had tons of action. I enjoyed every moment. Never a dull moment and several humorous moments.

I highly recommend to all paranormal romance fans who want a great read!

This book was superb!!

I thought that this was another great book by Katie, she is fabulous author and never disappoints - her books are full of action and romance which are a great combination and she really does put everything I love in to a book!

The book was very easy to follow and the plot was excellent, it was well developed, had something happening throughout and it was an addictive read.

I do love this author's books, she writes an addictive page turner each time and this one was no different - it is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!!

ARC received for review

A whole lotta sh!t went down in this book. Reaper is an ancient awoken to help battle an evil force, and claims Greer as his. Greer isn't on board with this at first, but yummy, growly Reaper grows on her. Lots of peeps from previous books on hand to help with the romance and the bad guys. We are left in the dark for most of the book about what is going on with August, Mira, Gabriel, and Vega down south. Another couple hooks up too. And we meet a yummy Alpha wolf shifter named King.

Ms. Reus says this is the last book in this series...tears. If that's the case, then I need a new series that starts off with King's HEA.

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine.
This author is one I’ve recently discovered, and whose books I’ve fallen in love with, thanks to these opportunities to review. Because of that, I haven’t been reading her books in particular order and I’m not sure I’ve read any from this particular series. To say the end of the book threw me for a loop was an understatement, which I was happy for. With the way Greer and Reaper meet, I was thinking it was going to be just another opposites attract fated mates-type book, but it was so much more! I absolutely loved it, but now I need to go back and figure out what ones I’m missing from this series so I can read them all. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

My first thought about Reaper (after mmmmhmmm) was 'well bless his heart'. Poor guy, er dragon. Taking a nice long nap not bothering anyone and gets woken up in some new, crazy time. And he has a mate? But she doesn't like him? What has happened to the world? Women have serious attitude, there are all sorts of crazy things around and, ugh, clothes.
I really liked Reaper. Greer took me a little warning up, but she was amazingly strong and caring of her fellow dragons. I have never read a Katie Reus book that I didn't like so I'm seriously biased here, but i think if this is your genre then you'll enjoy Darkness Rising.

The story is everything I expect in a Katie Reus book! I really enjoyed the story and I'm so sad to see the series end! The storyline is exciting and engaging and the cast of characters are complex and brilliantly written. I just want to cry that it's over! So good!

Greer, a Dragon and one of the healers in the Petronilla Clan made an unexpected and life changing discovery one day when she out on one of her "me time". It was the first time she used her healing abilities to defend herself against another one of her kind. There was a new newcomer in her Clan, the man set her mind, body and soul on fire but she found him to be also annoying, arrogant and infuriating. If that doesn’t spell true love, I don’t know what does. Reaper was a Dragon shifter and a warrior who'd been in hibernation for so long that when he finally awakened. He was all set to fulfill his destiny until he laid eyes on the beautiful, strong and huge heart healer of the Petronilla Clan, Greer. He might be ancient but the arrogant man knew nothing about women. What I love about Katie Reus books while you get the love of a true romance novel there is always some epic battle or life altering battle that is beautifully woven into the story. I love that I haven’t read every book and was still able to follow along. I also love that unlike other authors in this genre she brings back older characters. I have a desire to finish this series and thwill be reading other books in the future. Thank you to Netgalley for my arc my apologizes for my delay. It in no way reflects poorly on the authors craft and more to do with my life.

I really enjoyed Darkness Rising, and Greer and Reaper. There was so much going on in with the story that I just wish we got to focus a little bit more on them. With more focus it could of easily been a 5 star read.

I loved Reaper. He was fantastic. Greer was a strong heroine. She pulled away a bit. I loved that Reaper didn't give up.
There's some elements that were in the side of weird and just didn't fit in this world but other than that this was a great read.

Darkness Rising is phenomenal, a absolute masterpiece. Consuming and unable to put this down I had no choice but to continue on with this book.

Full Review: https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/2019/07/darkness-rising-is-phenomenal-absolute.html

Title: Darkness Rising
Series: Darkness Book #9
Stand Alone Title: yes; recommended in order
Author: Katie Reus
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Blurb: From USA Today bestselling author Katie Reus comes the final story in the sensual, pulse-pounding Darkness series…

When a bringer of death…

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine.

Meets a giver of life…

Greer has spent hundreds of years using her healing abilities for the good of others, making her the polar opposite of Reaper. The ferocious war general may be an ancient, but his arrogance proves he hasn’t spent any of that time learning about women. Greer is displeased when her Alpha sends her to New Orleans with the insufferable warrior—then she sees him in action against a menace threatening to tear the city apart. Fierce, protective, magnificent…mate-worthy. Except he’s hiding something from her. Something dark and devastating that could destroy their newly forged bond. Maybe opposites do attract, but if they want to live long enough to find out, they’ll first have to save the world teetering on the brink of obliteration.

Length: NOVEL
Author note: This is the final book in the Darkness series and can be read as a stand-alone.
Favorite quote(s)/excerpt(s): “You look smug when you’re right.”
“Then I must look smug all the time.” His expression was deadpan, making her giggle.
……
“What we did last night was more than fun for me. I’m in this for more than simple fun,” he added again, his jaw tight, his words hard. Waves of potent, red anger rolled off him – and to her surprise, she felt the sense of his hurt more than anything. “You are my mate.”
Thoughts: I’m sad to see this series end. I honestly love anything by Katie Reus, and the Darkness series is one of my favorites. I feel like there were so many more characters that deserved a story here, so I feel a sense of loss for what could have been…..this world is one of the ones that could go on and on into double digits and still maintain interest.
At the same time, Greer and Reaper send the series out with a bang! You couldn’t get to more interesting characters, and they clash from the very beginning. Reaper comes out of hibernation and still maintains some old world ideas. He struggles a bit to catch up to the way things are in the here and now, however he also manages to have an endearing quality that captures your heart. Greer is as sweet as you can be with just enough sass, and she makes the perfect match for him.
Loved it!
Rating: A

A big thank you to NetGalley and KR Press LLC for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the convoluted story of Reaper and Greer. Greer is a healer, and Reaper is a dragon war general. She thinks he is annoying, he knows she is his mate. He is willing to compromise. the story goes from Montana to New Orleans. Fun read, 3 stars.

A standalone read and the final book in the Darkness Series, "Darkness Rising" is a great ending to a wonderful series. Dragon shifter Reaper was a force to be reckoned with after he was awakened, but when he meets up with healer Greer, the chemistry between them is hot as fire. (pun intended). With suspense and action at every turn, these two burn up the skies on their way to their own HEA. No matter if this is your first read in the series, or you have read them all, if you are a fan of paranormal, this is a read you will want to pick up. Thank you to Netgalley for gifting me "Darkness Rising". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 4.5 Stars!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a great book , I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend to everyone.

3.5 stars. I really enjoy this series and I absolutely adored Reaper but I wasn't a big fan of Greer. I think my favorite parts of this book was when Reaper was trying to catch up on all the updates in technology and the slang of the current generation. It was great and I would have liked more of it. I also liked how he was absolutely an alpha but still respected Greer and was really trying to adapt to the changes since he had gone to sleep. Greer drove me a bit crazy. How she could continue to deny that Reaper was her mate when she kept seeing all the typical signs was just ridiculous. It was nice to catch up with some characters from earlier books and I really liked King and am intrigued by his character.

This is the last book in the series but apparently there will be a spin off. For a last book there are a ton of unanswered questions and a lot of cliffhangers. It's really more like the end of one phase of the story and the start of a new phase especially since a lot of the characters from this series will be a part of the "new series."

I did find all the changes and the big war at the end very interesting and I'm really looking forward to where the new series will go.

This is my first Katie Reus novel, and it will not be my last! Darkness Rising starts off with a bang, introducing the reader to the starring couple, Reaper and Greer, setting the tone for how their relationship will be from that moment on - full steam ahead!
Ms. Reus describes Reaper as unapologetically honest, forthright and brazen in his dealings with Greer. He believes her to be his mate, and let's her know that fact whenever possible. Greer, on the other hand, is stubborn to a fault: independent, happy with the status quo, content living her life as it is - with the benefit of a male.
The other aspect to the story is threat of war and chaos. Someone is killing ancients and causing problems throughout the world, one of the reasons Reaper believes he rose from hibernation. Ms. Reus ties together the two plots, meshing them into one co-hesive whole.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Darkness Rising definitely fits the bill when it comes to an action-packed paranormal romance. If you love dragon shapeshifters and wonder if it’s possible to have them in a modern-day setting, look no further than Katie Reus. She does a wonderful job of making these dragons blend in as much as possible. Until they can’t anymore.

While Darkness Rising is technically the last book in the series, it isn’t the last time readers will see these characters or this world again, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the next chapter of this paranormal romance saga. Yes, saga. There’s so much that happens in this book that changes things forever for all the characters involved.

Yet for all the action and world-shattering events that happen, Reus doesn’t forget that there’s a romance to develop. I felt that Reaper and Greer had plenty of time to get to know each other and fall in love. At the same time, Reaper had to acclimate to his new and fast-changing surroundings which sometimes lead to some light humor. He IS pretty darn old.

It isn’t necessary to read the series in order to understand it, but because it’s better if you do, I suggest picking up the first book ASAP.