Reviews

Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur

noetical's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Drug abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Blood, Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Body horror, and Death

smiley7245's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Risa is still a terrible main character, but not near as bad as in the first two books. She asked for help this time, and there wasn't near as much Lucien. He has not been revealed as bad yet, but Azriel doesn't like him and that's enough for me. Besides that, Hunter and the council don't have the first key. Her father doesn't have the first key. He doesn't respect her, or her boundaries, and practically forced himself on her. Not to mention I'm pretty sure he put some kind of spell on her so she would become addicted to him. But, she stood her ground and stopped sleeping with him, and when she did finally see him again after that the attraction had basically disappeared. That is probably because she finally slept with Azriel and almost realized that they are soulmates, or whatever the reaper equivalent is, but 1- she's stupid, and 2- she wasn't willing to cross that divide so she didn't complete the bonding. But I'm 100% sure that Azriel knows, and that he has known all along and that's why he keeps things from her, because she has to come to that realization on her own and she has to be willing. Now, Hunter and the Council set a task for her: find what is killing the vampires who are addicted to the blood whores. Risa hates the club that caters to the whores and the addicted vampires and I don't blame her, but she and Azriel set a trap, only they get attacked by the vampires, which was the council's plan all along. They survive, but Risa gets captured by the creature. She bonds with her sword and destroys their god and the monsters. This is all after she was captured, unmade, and remade with a tracker, so that the priests can locate her father. She went through it in this book. But there was less Lucian, which was worth it. He did admit that he knows how to find black magic practitioners, and like obviously because he's either one himself or he's employing one because he has the first key. Also, I'm pretty sure he's tied up with/in cahoots with Nadler the face shifter. Tao woke up at the end of the book. He's himself, but he can feel the fire monster inside of him. The next book is probably going to focus on key 2 since she got a note from her father at the end of the book.

helenkat's review

5.0

Review to follow.

mrsgteach's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

3.5

amym84's review

4.0

I continue to like this series more and more with each book. This book picks up with Risa searching for the 4th member of the consortium, still trying to find out her mother's killer, and waiting to hear from her father about the keys. Added to that Director Hunter wants her to investigate multiple killings happening to patrons of a certain vampire club in order to prove Risa's worth to the reast of the consul. And, yes, her life is on the line here.

There's not really much that happens with the main set-up storylines in this book. There's small progress made on getting to the 4th consortium member and there are a few little bits of information that may prove to be linked to her mother's death, but otherwise we're at a standstill. The main concentration here is finding out what is killing the vampires that frequent the vampire club and why. This book really deals with how Risa will prove useful to the doubtful members of the vampire consul.

She's really put through a lot in all the books and this one is no exception. Risa is a strong character and I like where Keri Arthur has taken her so far, and interested to see where she goes from here.

I have always been skeptical of Lucian from the beginning. It was almost too coincidental that he was there to help her in the firt book. I'm glad to see that maybe Risa is starting to question him herself.

I am excited that things with Azriel are moving along. I like the development and I like that keri Arthur decided to wait a little before these character took another step in their relationship.

I like this series and can't wait until Novemeber when [b:Darkness Hunts|13478341|Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels, #4)|Keri Arthur|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331589357s/13478341.jpg|19009740] is released. Until Then!

kim620's review

4.0

I'm giving this 4 stars and not 5 because it felt like it was a side story. It has been setup since the beginning that the main plot point for this series was going to be Risa's father and the quest for the keys. With that said...he was not in the book nor were the keys. This felt more like a slice of life of what happens while they are waiting for her father to make contact again.

It did however give a nice progression to the relationship between Risa and Azriel. With Lucian it just felt like it was the same story once again. Tao has been set up for future books and I can't wait to see what happens with him.

glennisleblanc's review

2.0

The third book still has Risa trying to find the keys but none of the keys are found in this one and it takes more of a vampire side story to the main arc. Still enjoyable and Risa is trying to make a choice in her love life even if it isn't always the best one. I still like the setting and and I will keep reading the books for now.

readercecc6's review

4.0

Azriel!!!!! I hope we learn more about his world/life. Found it interesting that although he seemed emotionless in book 1 (reapers do not feel the way we do?) that he mentioned something about reaper family units in book 2. Would love to see how that works :)