⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Can Paxton and Vero keep the Kurjan nation together without losing the new-found peace with the Realm?

In the aftermath of war, a fragile peace hovers between the Kurjan nation and the Dark Protector coalition. Yet amid labyrinthine politics and intrigue, Vero Phoenix, a Kurjan, stands apart. He has lived devoid of legacy or lineage—until the day he backed his newly found brother as king, putting himself into the treacherous position of enforcer and shield. Yet there is another thorn in his side, no less vexing, undeniably captivating—and all-too-human. Lyrica Graves was once ensnared by Kurjan captors and now embodies defiance and freedom as she guides other women to independence and modernity. She is particularly amused—and breathtakingly fearful—by her tangles with Vero. But their clashing also belies a sizzling connection, a dark attraction between supernatural and fully human that threatens their chosen destinies and makes them a target for far too many enemies.

MY THOUGHTS

Not gonna lie, it was difficult to go from hating the Kurjans to giving them the benefit of the doubt.  At least Vero was still the likeable character from before, conflicted with the society he grew up in and his role in it. Lyrica made the most of a situation she didn’t want to be in. She was determined and exactly what Vero needed to give him purpose and direction. Vero was slightly less intense and possessive than the other heroes in this series, and the chemistry was less in-your-face, but still impactful.

The tenuous new connection between the Realm and the Kurjans, Paxton’s leadership and the Kurjan’s reactions to it, and Vero and Hunter’s friendship were all handled in a realistic and believable way. The plot flowed fairly fast through nail-biting action sequences and tense personal moments. Coupled with some surprising twists, unexplained murders, and meeting some Kurjans up close and personal, this book expanded the world of this series in an exciting way.

I can highly recommend this entire series if you like a steamy paranormal romance. It is definitely best to read the books in order, though you could probably jump in with book number 8, Vampire’s Faith. But they are all well worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: April 29, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Book 17 of Dark Protectors