I am already a longtime fan of this series, so I was really excited to see that there was a new book out. This book focuses on Vero Phoenix- a Kurjan vampire - who we just recently discovered is Paxton's brother. Paxton, a demon vampire - who is now the King of the Kurjan Nation (definitely a long story behind this one). The challenge comes with the fact that Vero WAS also very close to his cousin - the now deceased third in the love triangle with Hope and Paxton. So, while Vero was never specifically a really bad guy, he definitely hung around with the bad guys.

So, this forces us to do a bit of a mind shift as we now see Vero as the Kurjan Prince trying to help newly appointed King Paxton keep the newfound peace between the Kurjans and the Realm. I mean, the KURJANS....they were the bad guys for so long.....

And then we meet Lyrica. As a human, she was kidnapped and held by the Kurjans (because that is how they did things). Things are changing and they are trying to fix some of their wrongs, and Lyrica has emerged as a leader for the women who have been held, kidnapped, or possible mated against their will. She is leading the push to make things right.

Because this series revolves around mated pairs - we get to watch Lyrica and Vero deal with the unexpected complications that emerge with their pairing. There are a couple of unexpected twists to make things interesting. Oh, and not to mention - there are some new bad guys......

While this could probably be read as a stand alone, there really is a lot of history and information that would be missed if you jumped in at this point. Plus, the series as a whole is awesome so why not start from the beginning? Seriously?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Lyrical Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on April 29, 2025.

Vero and Lyricia are awesome who knew Vero was a softy and I love Lyricia independence. The story line was fantastic and fast paced with quite a few twists and turns definitely worth the read and I can't wait for the next book.

Prince of Darkness By Rebecca Zanetti is a smart, STEMy, fun-filled, PNR, standalone adventure. I absolutely love all the Dark Protector books, and this latest release, Prince of Darkness, is no exception.
Lyrica and Vero’s HEA tale has all the heart, heat and happy story-telling that Zanetti fans crave. Smart characters, masterfully crafted, beloved cameos, we could not ask for anything more. I loved every second!

📖 Title: Prince of Darkness- Dark Protectors book #17

✍🏾 Author: Rebecca Zanetti

📅Publication date: 4/29/25 | Read 4/30/25

📃 Format: eBook 258 pgs.

Genre:
*Paranormal Romance
*Adult Fic
*Mystery/Suspense

Tropes:
*close proximity
*opposites attract
*demons/vampires/human
*fated mates
*open door
*H&h share a room

👆🏾POV: 3rd person

⚠️TW: assassination attempts, a serial killer, r*pe, kidnapping, sexism

🌎 Setting: Canada

Summary: Prince Vero is the Kurjan Nation's King's 2nd in command whose job is keep Paxton alive. Pax has to attend an important summit-Convexus- with Cyst soldiers coalition to maintain peace with the Realm. Lyrical has made it her job to bring the Kurjans into the modern world and give females a voice. Vero and Lyrica are always arguing because he is an OTT protective male while Lyrica values her independence.


👩🏾 Heroine: Lyrica Graves-was a kidnapped enhanced female whose job is the reorientation and relocation of females captured by the Kurjans.

👨🏾 Hero: Prince Vero Phoenix-Pax's brother, his enforcer/bodyguard.

🎭 Other Characters:

* King Paxton/ Hope Karys-Kurjan Nation's new leader/half demon and his female vampire mate
*Hunter Kayrs-King of the Realm Dage Kayrs's son went undercover as a Kurjan at 16, was Vero's BFF
*Dr. Fizzlewick-a healer who examines the serial killer victims.
*Genevieve- 17, a human female who was captured and is now Vero's secretary. In love with soldier in training Lukas, 17.


🤔 My Thoughts: I've read this entire series and have been a fan of Zanetti for years. This was the first romance from a Kurjan's perspective. I loved how the women had a voice because of Lyrica's outspoken nature. She gave women a chance at freedom and to explore their own interests outside of their dominant nonsense mates like Vero.

Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 4/5 🌶️

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing | Lyrical Press, and Rebecca Zanetti for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Book #17 in the Dark Protectors series introduces a different side of the Kurjans and the world they are trying to build as they assume control of the wonderfully constructed and developed world that Rebecca Zanetti has gifted to her readers. Zanetti is a prolific author who effortlessly moves through genres, pleasing fans of romance, mystery, thriller, sci fi and more. Prince of Darkness brings together characters from different sides of the new ruler's supporters, stirring the danger with passion and weaving a story arc that we'll happily look for in book #18.

Review: PRINCE OF DARKNESS by Rebecca Zanetti https://bit.ly/3RIaxjS
Publication Date: 4/29/2025
Genre Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4.5 Stars

This was a great addiction to the Rebecca Zanetti’s Dark Protecters Series. PRINCE OF DARKNESS had suspense, danger, smoking hot romance and a story that kept me up all night. I loved the characters. If you haven’t read the series yet it is one of my favorite paranormal series. I love Rebecca Zanetti’s writing style and she always delivers a great story with a HEA. Go pick one up if you’re a paranormal romance lover and fall in love with her characters.

*Review copy provided by Kensington in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/4jPJW0a

Vero is the brother to the King (Pax). He’s very loyal, even to those that had wronged him. He has no illusions of living a long time, has a lot of conflicting emotions due to his past: nobody cared about him (only Karma and she left with Benny). Because of everything he’s been through, he’s really serious. He’s a protector.
We've read about him along with Hope and Paxton in previous books, and always seen him like he was the only good Kurjan. It was surprising that in this book he was so aggressive and OTT.
Lyrica is sassy and too stubborn. A little too narrow minded about her beliefs at the beginning but she learns through the story to understand that there’re several different views to life and all acceptable.
They’re both trying to bring the Kurjan nation to modern times, and it’s not an easy task.
There’s a lot of mystery, mixed with some action and of course the romance between Vero and Lyrica.
A new enemy that threatens the Kurjan nation because Pax is the king is presented and new alliances too.
I'm guessing that Hunter, probably the twins too, and some Kurjans will have books too in the future, and the plot with this new enemy and development of the new Kurjan nation would be explore more. Or so I hope!

Details:
- Neither virgins.
- No OP drama.
- HFN. Epilogue 3 weeks later.

Whew! Hot stuff in the cold north! Prince of Darkness has all that you expect from a Dark Protector book: heat, passion, attraction, danger, suspense, treachery. Need I say more?

Vero is a Kurjan who backed his newfound brother as king. He crashes with an empath, Lyrica who was once ensnared by Kurjan captors. Lyrica now works tiredlessly for women to be independent and free.

Love this exciting book 17th in the series. It really doesn't get old even though it's the 17th book. It can be read as a standalone although best read after a few books before so that you understand the nuances. Love Vero and Lyrica. Their tension and chemistry is incredible.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This book will keep you reading way past your bedtime! There’s so much going on as Paxton and Vero attempt to lead the Kurjans toward a more modern and peaceful future. Lyrica was part of the human enhanced females kidnapped before they took over leadership. She is intelligent and used to taking care of herself. Vero and she clash often but there is a strong passionate attraction that makes their story spicy and fun. This book felt a bit different to me and I loved it. There’s more suspense and intrigue that threatens all within the community, as those opposed to new changes in government start a killing spree that could disrupt attempts at peace. Vero is my new favorite character, and Lyrica is perfect for him.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was action-packed, fun, steamy and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks @netgalley and @rebeccazaneti for this wonderful Arc read. Rebecca has done it again with another great read to the dark protectors series. The MMC is Vero brother to Paxton, the kurjan king. Vero is a scientist and enforcer to the kurjan nation. The FMC is Lyrica an enhanced female who was kidnapped by the kurjan nation but not is helping bring the nation into current and help the kidnap female. I ❤️ the relationship with all the characters. Story has great suspense and great build up to the storyline. Can’t wait to read more in the series.

I loved this story. Lyrica and Vero clash and the sparks fly. I enjoyed the characters and a few ended up being quite a surprise in the end. The twists are vey creative and some are mind blowing. I couldn't help but laugh at the disappearing sparkling water.

I have waited forever for this book and did not disappoint. Even though this is book 17 series, Rebecca Zanetti still able to keep things interesting and new. Vero and Lyrica are great couple. Their chemistry is amazing. Vero has been a favor of mine for a long time and it’s great to see him coming to his own. And of course is great to see a lot of old friends and meet some new ones. Cannot wait for the next two books.

Thank you, Dan NetGalley and Kensington publishing for this ARC.

The main characters, vero and lyrica have great rapport and chemistry. A lot of familiar faces while we are learning a new area. Lots of suspense, world building, and steamy action. I love this author writing style

This was great story. Such chemistry between Vero and Lyrica. The story is driven with lots of action and suspense. I loved seeing a lot of familiar faces from the series. This is the start of another section of this world, and seems to have lots to work with.

This is an amazing addition to this long running Dark Protectors series by the uber talented Rebecca Zanetti. This time we are in Kurjan territory getting to know Vero Pheonix, Paxton’s brother and second in command. We get some great scenes with Paxton and Hope in the process. Peace is what they are all seeking but someone wants to dethrone Paxton, the half Kurjan, half demon King of the Kurjans, and they get pretty close. During all of this chaos Vero also finds his mate in Lyrica. And boy does that have some unexpected revelations.
Lyrica is an empath human who was taken by Kurjan’s back when that is what they were doing, which is how she ended up with them. But times have changed and now she is working for them helping all the females there and Vero and Paxton. Lyrica is strong sassy, feisty, stubborn, and very smart. She is a great match for Vero. She has always had a thing for him but never intended to act on it for a number of reasons. But that all changes once they are under attack because apparently in order to keep her safe he decides he wants to court her. That and the fact that he has always wanted her but did not think he could have her also for a number of reasons. It was supposed to be a temporary thing between them until she left in 3 months but turns into much, much more and is very unexpected.
I love them together they complement each other so perfectly.
Amazing writing with plenty of details and character development. A great new couple to sink your teeth into with just the right amount of steaminess. All of that plus the other awesome characters, and major stuff hitting the fan throughout this story make this an incredibly enjoyable and highly entertaining edge of your seat paranormal romance!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. I unfortunately did not see that this is book 17 of a series so that I feel like I cannot give a detailed review. While I have read other books by this author and have loved her writing and the detail and world building that they do is well written and the relationships and chef’skiss

4.75*
The only reason I didn’t give this book a 5* was that I started out a bit off for me. The rest of the book was great. Vero and Lyrica made a good pair and the suspense and twists and turns were very intriguing and surprising. Now I need Hunter’s book.

Okay. How did I not know how hot Vero is??? I remember him being mentioned in previous books, obviously. But holy moly, I was not prepared for all that smoking hot dominance! Vero is every reason you need to read this book!