Darkness Rising

Darkness Rising by Keri Arthur

Dark Angels #2

Risa will go to any lengths to avenge her mother’s murder—even if it means making a pact with the most evil vampire she’s ever met. Lethal and powerful, Madeline Hunter is leader of the vampire council, and will put her resources behind finding the killer—for a price. The venerable vampire requires the assistance of Risa’s psychic powers. Quid pro quo.

Someone—or something—is targeting the elders of the local council, cursing the immortal vampires to rapidly age, sink into madness, and die. Risa must track down the vengeful being responsible. But Risa’s father, a rogue Aedh priest, also enlists her in a dangerous mission. And not even the great Madeline Hunter may be able to protect her from the shadowy forces that desire nothing less than Risa’s destruction.

In a moment of weakness right after her mother's brutal murder, Risa agreed to help the leader of the vampire council, in exchange for assistance in revenge for her mother. Now she is saddled with an impossible task at finding a deadly threat to the council members. If she fails, the penalty is death. However, the council aren't the only ones gunning for her head. Her father and everyone else wants to use her to find the Keys to the Gates of Hell, and they will stop at nothing to get them. She'll have to learn who to trust, and quickly as her enemies seem to be around every corner. 

I knew trouble was going to be coming as soon as Risa agreed to work for Hunter. To me that was like signing a deal with the devil. It took no time at all for Hunter to start making her demands. What I really don't get is why Hunter is setting Risa up to fail at her new job when she supposedly needs Risa to find the Keys to the Gates, because the council is determined to execute her if she fails. I guess that just proves how different vampires are, you just can't expect them to make sense. Risa really has a touch road ahead of her as she deals with all the different agendas that seem to center themselves around her. I just hope her determination continues to hold strong or she will end up be sacrificed like any other pawn.

The men in Risa's life are a real lesson in frustration. On one hand you have Lucian who is yummy and trust me the sparks are flying between them. Well physically that is, there isn't much there in emotional attachment. Being a werewolf, that should be ideal for her as sex without any strings is basically their culture. However, Risa isn't just a werewolf, she's also Adeh. Of course they are emotionless beings, but Risa is different. You can just sense the lack of true satisfaction she has with Lucian due to the lack of connection. That became even more apparent as his own agenda was revealed, and we saw how much it affected Risa. If she was really looking for no strings, it wouldn't have bothered her. To be honest I wish she would get rid of him. There is just something fishy about him and I, like Azriel, do not trust him at all. Speaking of a certain reaper, he has his own set of secrets, and yet I still think he is wholy on Risa's side. There is such a tension there as both of them try to keep their working relationship strictly professional, but to be honest I don't think that will last much longer. There have been several hints at something much deeper between them. I can't help but wonder if Risa is his Caomh, which I take to be a sort of soul mate. So in case I wasn't clear, Risa needs to get rid of Lucian and get it on with Azriel. 

I really cannot get enough of Risa and the continuation of the world set up in the Riley Jenson series. I was quite spoiled having these first two books released only a month apart, but in the end that only makes the wait for the next installment even harder. I can guarantee you I will be picking it up on the day it releases, that is how much I love these books. I would caution against reading Darkness Rising without reading the first installment, as a lot of things were set up. To be honest, this book is really a continuation of Darkness Unbound rather than a self-contained story. Also, if you haven't read the Riley books, I'd recommend going back and checking them out. It will only enhance your enjoyment of this great series. In the end I was thoroughly impressed with Darkness Rising and I can't wait to see more of Risa in the future.

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels, Book 2)

Other Reviews:

• Book Savvy Babe

Previous Books:

1. Darkness Unbound

Challenge Categories:

• Outdo Yourself
• Horror and Urban Fantasy
• Shifter