A fantastic beginning to a new chapter of the Dark Protector series.


Vero is a Kurjan, a prince and in charge of trying to integrate his people into a new way of life. Diplomacy is something that he doesn’t have and patience he has even less of. Trying to rebuild a broken nation, avoiding assassination attempts and trying to get everyone on the same page, Vero feels that weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Although the presence of a certain female keeps Vero off his balance, just a bit. Whether he feels that she is a thorn in his side or that’s just his excuse for something he’s not quite ready to admit.

Lyrica is an enhanced human female, an empath who was kidnapped during the previous ruler, but yet has been given a job that she has taken very seriously. Lyrica has been put in charge of helping those who have been kidnapped relocate or re-oriented with society however they wish. Lyrica is a modern woman in all sense of the word and wants all the females to be able to experience anything they should desire. She does have a bit of a hard time understanding why any of them would want to stay. She’s a strong woman and willing to stand toe to toe with anyone. Even with that Kurjan who makes her blood boil, but for so many different reasons.

I love this new chapter that Rebecca Zanetti has given us on her dark protector for. This is the first book within the 17 book series that has been primarily of a kurjan point of view. That is one of the reasons that this series stays so fresh and interesting. Vero and Lyrica are a perfect opposites attract match. I love their tension, their banter and how hard they fight their attraction. In places it’s comical and others you just want to shake them both and hope they get with it. They are so opposites of one another it’s but it so works for them. He is in all sense a warrior built for battle, but truly would rather be in a lab and she is a foot shorter than him and has enough sass for all of them. I very much enjoyed their story. And I’m very excited for what will be happening within this new arc of the dark protector’s world.

The Dark Protectors return!!!! Epic and all consuming paranormal adventure that has it all - action, intrigue, lies, secrets, betrayals, power plays, hierarchy, snarky banter, sizzle and spice, and a complex society that you have to remind yourself it isn't real. Nothing else like it out there. For those that follow, this is like coming home again, if this is your first there are plenty of tidbits so you know the context. Always a HEA/HFN with bread crumbs trickling into the next one ...

Prince of Darkness by Rebecca Zanetti
Dark Protectors series #17. Paranormal romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
The Kurjan nation, at least part of it, has joined with the Dark Protector (vampire, demon, witches, and shifters) coalition. They need to get the Cyst to join as well to prevent future wars. Vero Phoenix, a Kurjan, is in charge of setting up the new compound. He must help transition the Kurjan soldiers to a new way of life, integrating with humans, vampires and demons. He doesn’t have the patience needed for diplomacy but he’ll have to figure it out.
Lyrica Graves is an enhanced female in charge of helping the Kurjans transition to their new lives. She’s also helping other enhanced woman that were kidnapped, recover and figure out their futures.
Lyrica works for and with Vero but she finds his thinking outdated and overbearing. She can’t stop poking him. Their chemistry is sizzling. And soon enough, Vero is going to show Lyrica exactly what he’s been trained to do.

It’s the start of a new world with the Kurjans joining the coalition. It’s a lot of work and negotiations. Both for the nations and individuals. Lyrica is driving Vero crazy with demands and accommodations for her women. With one found frozen to death, naked and bitten, security is ramped up to find who doesn’t respect the new alignment. Vero will do whatever it takes to keep Lyrica safe.

When we first met Vero, he was young and just learning the way of Kurjans. He preferred science and the labs but became a fighting leader. The Kurjans were the enemy. Now Vero protects the King, a half brother.
Vero and Lyrica are like tar and water. Repelling and just a little absorbing. They grow closer as they work together and finally admit to their attraction. It’s a little adversarial, but that just makes the fall into passion all the better.
Lots of arguments that turn to banter and ultimately into hot foreplay and sizzling encounters.
It’s a new world. Who knows where it will go next.

Dynamic, steamy and unpredictable. Except for the romance. That’s a sure bet. Exactly how we want it.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased all formats of this to keep.

Prince of Darkness is everything I hoped Vero and Lyrica’s story would be—searing, emotional, and full of heart. At its core, this book is about what happens when you give up a little control and, in return, gain a love that’s deep, fierce, and unwavering.

Lyrica is wild, witty, and unapologetically herself. Her sass and fire make her unforgettable, but it’s Vero’s quiet strength and devotion that anchor the story. He doesn’t just fall in love with her—he chooses her, over and over again, no matter how chaotic or sharp-edged she is. Watching him love every part of her, even the messy parts, made my heart ache in the best way.

This book also delivers on all fronts: the found family that feels like home, the mates-to-lovers pull that’s electric, and the friendships that shine just as brightly as the romance. And let’s not forget the spice—it’s intense, emotional, and beautifully woven into their bond.

Vero and Lyrica’s journey is the perfect blend of chaos and comfort, power and surrender, and ultimately, love in its fiercest form. This one’s for the readers who want passion with depth and characters who love with their whole soul.

So,so so good. I love this world! I was so anxious for Vero's story and this one didn't disappoint!!

The war between the Kurjians and the Realm is over. Paxton is now king of the Kurjan nation, forced into the position and supported by his brother Vero and his best friend Hunter. Only, there are still those in the Kurjan nation that don't want peace. And they've got a plan to stop it.

Vero is determined to protect his brother as Paxton slowly works to instill a cooperative mind set in the Kurjan nation. The thorn in Vero's side is Lyrica, an enhanced female determined to improve the status of women of the Kurjan nation. Hard as they try, neither can ignore the spark between them.

When women start turning up dead in their encampment, marked with a unique mark on their body, it's up to Vero to determine who is behind the heinous crimes, the sole aim of which seems to be to blow the new found peace to shreds.

This next chapter in the Dark Protectors series starts with a bang. Alliances are shifting. New enemies are revealed. The stakes are high and danger abounds in this fast paced, high intensity thriller. This is an absolute absorbing story that takes this series in a new direction that promises more action, more fun and the expectation of more unexpected twists. I am eagerly awaiting the next story.

Prince of Darkness is classic Rebecca Zanetti a easy to follow storyline that flows effortlessly from one experience to another with unexpected twists, drama action and suspense character's that are witty charming and unapologetically comfortable within their own skin.
I received a advance reader's copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another winner from Rebecca Zanetti!!! Lyrica and Vero were such a cute couple! I'm loving Pax being the King and Hope right beside him. It's like the next Gen of our original cast in this series! I also had no clue who the bad guy was which is rare for me!! Can't wait to read what happens next I. Their kingdom!

Absolutely am obsessed with this series, it's been a long journey but each book gets better and better. The way Rebecca writes these characters makes them all my favorite part of the series, each character is unique and continues to develop through the story and I am here for it!! If you haven't picked up this series yet, you absolutely should. Each book pulls me right in and I instantly lose track of time and reality. The pacing of the book made it hard to put down. Highly recommend!

The Kurjans have been mortal enemies of the realm, and raged wars, for centuries. Until now. Thanks to the half demon-half Kurjan Paxton, who is now their king. He's striving to unite the Kurjan and bring them into the realm and into the current century. And his half-brother, Vero, is determined to see him succeed. Unfortunately, there are splinter groups who still don't want to be part of the realm, or align with any of the other groups. There's danger and mischief afoot in the Kurjan's new home. Can Vero, acting as an enforcer for the new king, quell the danger and keep their people, including the annoying human Lyrica, safe from harm? It'll take all of his skills in fighting and warfare to do so.

OMGoodness!! I loved this book so hard. For so long, we've been told how evil the Kurjans are, and to be fair they have been, but now we're getting a view into their daily lives and loves and realizing they have hopes and dreams and families, just as the other groups in the realm do. I love Vero, who is completely swoon-worthy (which is a change from previous books when he seemed a bit cowed), and Lyrica, who keeps Vero on his toes. Together they make an unstoppable force. I can't wait to read more books in this story arc.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Another amazing book by my favorite author! We finally get Vero’s story and it is so good. I couldn’t put this book down until I had it finished. It is filled with funny parts, sweet parts, a virus from hell, and of course a killing maniac. Will than nation survive or crumble?

a classic paranormal romance according to my heart: the right mix of romance and steam, strong characters, action and an excellent world building
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is book 17 of the dark protector series by Rebecca Zanetti. This series just keeps getting better and better. I really love the dynamic between the main characters, strong willed, Lyrica and enforcer, Vero. And loved how they came together to try to figure out the mystery of who was killing women on the Kurjan land. There’s action, suspense and romance. Great book!

Okay, let me just say—this book bit me in the best way. Prince of Darkness is like if political intrigue, forbidden lust, and supernatural drama had a passionate three-way in a haunted castle. It’s moody. It’s steamy. And it has just the right amount of chaos to make me cancel my plans and read straight through dinner.

Let’s talk about Vero. He’s got that tortured “I’ve-seen-things-and-I-brood-about-them” vibe down to a fang-tipped science. He’s powerful, intense, and so emotionally repressed I wanted to hand him a journal and a scented candle. But when it comes to protecting his people—or Lyrica—he’s all fire and fangs. And Lyrica? A straight-up queen. Fierce, defiant, and full of sass. She’s not here for anyone’s macho vampire nonsense, and I was living for their banter. Watching these two dance between hate, lust, and “oh no, we might die” was chef’s kiss.

The worldbuilding? Thick and shadowy like a good fog rolling in at midnight. Zanetti’s writing is lush and vivid—I could feel the cool night air, hear the low growls of monsters lurking, and taste the tension sizzling between our leads. It’s like a paranormal soap opera with stakes (and, yes, I mean both the kind you stab people with and the drama kind).

Bottom line: If you like your romance hot, your fantasy dark, and your men a little unhinged, Prince Of Darkness is your next obsession.

I went into this book thinking there's no possible way RZ could get me to sympathize with Kuryans even if Paxton and Vero are brothers.

After countless books that revolved around the Dark Protectors vs Kurjans and the Cist leaders, I just couldn't wrap my head around a storyline that involved thinking anything other than they are the enemy of the realm.
Bravo to Rebecca for creating villains so hated that her loyal readers are having a hard time coming to terms with this new alliance!

Enter Vero and Lyrik, and Maeve and Ralstad and speed dating Kurjans. I really loved Lyrik's character! Her stubborn and independent personailty was a perfect match to Vero.


There are lots of changes coming to this newest arc in the Dark Protectors realm and I'm so excited for Hunter and also Libby's books!!

An amazing book, Prince of Darkness did not disappoint. While I started this cautiously, knowing the Kurjans reputation in previous books, by the second chapter, I started understanding were not all bad. Yes, there were some in the story that were obviously not good, Vero, our hero, certainly wanted only good for those he was protecting. Lyrica was all for helping the women and was doing her best to modernize the Kurjans despite their reluctance. Vero and Lyrica were opposites and were clearly made for each other. Another five star read in the Dark Protectors series.

This is the start of the newest part of the long running spectacular dark protector series. We now will be seeing the story from the Kurjan side of things in that now that we know Paxton is their new king and this is his half brother Vero‘s story..

We see from the beginning that Vero is struggling with his new reality but trying to push forward while still dealing with some of his feelings. Then there is Lyrica who is one of the women that had been taken, but is a firecracker and intrigues bureau.

I really like the relationship and also that we are learning about new characters while they are battling an ailment and trying to save their species. I’m also intrigued by the fact that they need the cyst in order to keep surviving.

All in all it’s a fantastic book that has broaden the dark protector world and made it even more interesting and entertaining.

Three and a half stars.

The Realm has defeated the Kurjan nation and the half-demon half Kurjan Paxton is now King of the Kurjans and is trying to rebuild a nation on peace in the Yukon. If you've missed all of the previous sixteen books in this series, Kurjans are very pale, long black hair with red tips, similar to how we think of vampires (whereas actual vampires are not) because they are allergic to sunlight.

Vero is Paxton's half-brother, a full-blown Kurjan and is acting as Paxton's enforcer/bodyguard. He knows that a lot of the older Kurjan are only supporting Paxton because Vero is backing him.

Lyrica was one of the enhanced women kidnapped by the Kurjan before the peace (Kurjans are 100% male and need females from other species to mate). Since Paxton became King she has been supporting the other kidnapped women and trying to emancipate the women who have been mated to Kurjans, sometimes for centuries. Oh, did I not mention that mating with an immortal gives a human immortality too?

Vero and Lyrica feel a visceral attraction to each other, but she is determined to leave the camp and go back to the 'real world' once her work is done, so they decide to enter into a dating with benefits agreement for three months ... like that's ever going to work!

Meanwhile, Paxton is about to host 40 members of the Cyst (the Kurjan's religious order) in the hopes of getting them to join his group - its a once every thousand years kind of deal and a show of strength is imperative, but someone seems determined to thwart their plans. And then the raped and murdered bodies of human women start appearing, frozen in the snow, with a strange symbol carved into their necks (duh, duh, duh!).

If you've enjoyed the previous books in this series then you will love this one too. There's immortals with abs of steel, zero body fat, able to lift school buses with their bare hands, nearly seven foot tall, strange mating rituals, and able to give multiple orgasms. The heroine is feisty but eventually she has to submit blah, blah, blah.

This series is like catnip to me, the smexy times might be rinse and repeat, 'mine, mine, mine', but I love 'em.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

🩸What happens when a centuries-old Kurjan warrior mates a modern human woman by accident? Chaos. Sparks. And one heck of a war.

Read if you like: fated mates, grumpy x sunshine, enemies-ish to lovers, paranormal politics, alpha males, fierce heroines, immortal drama

📚 Prince of Darkness picks up after the war that closed the Seven arc, diving headfirst into a fragile post-war peace. Kurjan enforcer Vero Phoenix—newly appointed second to King Paxton—is tasked with reuniting a fractured nation while fending off assassination attempts and mysterious murders. Lyrica Graves, once kidnapped by Kurjans, now works to empower other human women—while butting heads (and lips) with Vero.

👨‍👧 Vero is everything you expect from a Dark Protector hero: bossy, powerful, broody—and deeply loyal under all that growl. Lyrica, his opposite in nearly every way, is fiercely independent and modern, bringing tech, feminism, and flair to a very backward immortal culture.

💞 Their chemistry? Electric. Their relationship? A deliciously rocky rollercoaster that goes from snarky debates to life-altering mating bonds. Watching a centuries-old soldier try to handle a free-thinking human woman? Priceless.

👧 Side characters like Paxton (the new Kurjan king) and the human women in the camps add depth and stakes, making this more than just a romance—it’s a full-blown political and emotional battlefield.

✍️ Zanetti nails her usual fast-paced style, delivering action, banter, and intense chemistry in equal measure. I was wary of Kurjan-centered stories after so many Realm vs. Kurjan battles, but this pivot? Surprisingly fun—and still packed with danger and dark magic.

🌟 If you’ve loved this series from the start, this one keeps the flame burning. It’s intense, funny, violent, sexy, wildly entertaining, and a strong setup for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶🌶🌶

Big thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of Prince of Darkness. Jumping in at book 17 of a series? I thought I’d be lost, but Rebecca Zanetti pulled me right into the world of Vero and Lyrica, and I didn’t want to leave.

Vero is a Kurjan prince with a mission: repair his fractured nation, dodge political games, and somehow survive his magnetic pull toward Lyrica. She’s an empath with a stubborn streak, unafraid to challenge him at every turn. Their chemistry? Absolute fire. The banter is sharp, the tension is electric, and I was fully invested.

The world-building is immersive and rich, with enough grit and depth to keep you hooked. While a couple of plot turns were easy to see coming, it didn’t take away from the journey. If you love dark paranormal romance with layered characters and a dash of danger, this is one to pick up.