Four and a half
If you have enjoyed the Dark Protectors series you will surely be delighted with this latest instalment. Its been fun over recent years reading about Demons, vampires, witches, shifters and all manner of immortal creatures but recently the Realm has found peace with just the Kurjan nation being well out of step shall we say ?
So after so much war and death it looks like finally under Paxton the new leader even the Kurjan nation might lay down their arms but with tensions still high it all depends on reuniting with their religious leaders and the Cyst have never been exactly peaceful ! Paxtons half brother Vero will do everything he can to protect his newly discovered brother but with kidnapped human females in his camp and one who particularly constantly challenges him life is far from smooth . Things escalate when a dead body is discovered and with an important meeting scheduled between the nation's it's imperative that Vero finds answers fast !
I'm undecided how I feel about this book as in many ways it does feel like the end of this series. If I think back to the beginning I find myself comparing Vero to Talen and what do you know these arrogant, demanding totally obsessed males are very similar ! Lyrica might be an empath but at times she totally does not understand Vero although to be truthful he definitely has her pretty well sussed out . I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense that is woven into this story although I missed the humour that I often associate with these books. The romance took its time and never felt rushed but I didn't like that Lyrica was lied to but my lips are sealed. Yes I very much enjoyed being back in this world but I'm unsure how it can continue without fresh enemies to face and that leaves Hunter kind of hanging ! Plus there's the mystery surrounding Vero so perhaps the author does have more ways to keep her readers happy.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts are honest and I believe fair

Lyrica is a feisty human in a world of Kurjan. She’s there to make sure other females are there of their own free will. These alpha males are bossy and over the top protective.

Vero is second in command to his brother. Now that there is a truce between not everyone is happy about it. He wants Lyrica for himself.

“Because if anyone took you from me, I’d burn the world to ash to find you—and I’d tear through the wreckage with bloody hands until nothing remained.”

This one is filled with suspense and conflict. A great edition to this long time series.

Vero Phoenix is a Kurjan and has backed his brother as king of the Kurjan’s. The peace between the Kurjans and The Realm, the Dark Protectors, is finally in place. Vero is his brother’s second and protector. Lyrica Graves is a specially enhanced human and is kidnapped by the Kurjan’s, before the new king. Now she is trying to help the other kidnapped females modernize and free them, if they want. They are brought to be mates for a Kurjan. Lyrica has no family and plans to leave. The electricity between Vero and Lyrica lights the whole place. But someone is killing females and leaving them in the snow. There is no evidence except for a circle with three slashes left on the bodies. The Cyst are going to be arriving ( they are the spiritual leaders of the Kurjan ) and hopefully sign a contract with the Kurjan nation to reunite them. Can they find the killer before someone else is taken? Action. Suspense. Steamy. A Kurjan and a human. Opposites attract. Vero is big, strong, and protective. Lyrica speaks her mind. They are perfect for each other. Loved this book. * VOLUNTARILY READ AND RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY *