Review: Into the Darkness by Katie Reus

Into the Darkness
Author: Katie Reus
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: A-/B+

What I’m Talking About:

In Into the Darkness, author Katie Reus tackles two love stories and wraps up some loose ends, giving the book an end-of-series feel (although based on the epilogue, it’s not). The story opens from POV of Rhea, warrior wolf with Finn’s pack. She’s being pursued by Conall, the powerful alpha of a pack-friendly dragon clan. The pack is preparing for the wedding of friends Bo and Nyx (romance featured in book 4), bringing Conall and his family to town; however, it looks as if a deadly part of Rhea’s past has resurfaced to create havoc for Finn and his pack.

As the wedding planner, Liberty has become accustom to the supernatural beings surrounding her life. It’s been eight months since Bo and his brothers, most notable of which is Rory, rescued her from a hell dimension where she was tortured and abused. During the past few months, she’s learned to be more independent and is ready to move forward in a romantic relationship with her protector, Rory.

I absolutely enjoyed Into the Darkness; it’s definitely my favorite book of the Darkness series. Bringing together action, suspense, and romance, the book shares solid storylines with an extra helping of steamy passion. Ms. Reus successfully weaves together stories of traditional paranormal mating while giving the romances time to develop and blossom in a smart, contemporary manner.

The number one reason both romances, and the overall story, are a success and a marked improvement over most of today’s PNR titles is COMMUNICATION! I loved the communication going on in this book, and not just between our main romantic couples. The author presented problems and pitfalls, but rather than let them fester and grow into huge conflicts, she gives the characters time to express and explain. *happy sigh* One perfect example is when Conall and Rhea kiss for the first time, and his mating glow starts. She freaks and says no. Instead of this dragging on as a misunderstanding, Rhea explains she can’t mate him because she’d make him weaker. He realizes her rejection is out of fear and concern for him. The conflict remains and is still heartbreaking, but for all the right reasons instead of misunderstandings. So impressed!!

I enjoyed reading Into the Darkness tremendously. Several of my annoyances from previous books, and PNR in general, weren’t present. The author does a wonderful job developing the characters and fostering solid relationships that are both “meant to be” but also meaningful. The HEAs feel solid and strong. I love that in both cases, and in both genders, the individuals were willing to accept the other as they are and not come to that acceptance only after losing him/her. I love that they converse and compromise without it feeling like someone lost. The book also features a great mix of action, story, and romance. Best book of the series!!

My Rating:  A-/B+ Enjoyed A Lot

About the Book:

One book. Two stories. A demigod and a half-demon are about to get married. Which means a week of festivities, romance, fun, and the kind of crazy drama wolf shifters are known for. When someone targets the Stavros pack, everyone bands together to fight an unknown enemy and two couples will fight for their chance at happily ever after. 

She’s not looking for a mate… Rhea is a warrior. She’s bled and fought for the Stavros wolf pack for over a hundred years. She never expected to fall for the Alpha of a dragon clan. But when her past comes back to haunt her, she finds herself working side by side with the very man whose been staring in all her fantasies. She never wants to get mated because she’ll never risk getting someone she cares for killed. Not again. So she convinces herself that they have something fun and easy, no strings attached.

But he’s playing for keeps… Conall, Alpha of the Petronilla clan, has been biding his time claiming his future mate. At fifteen hundred years old he’s patient and cunning. Except when he’s around Rhea, years of civilization are stripped away and all he wants to do is possess her, make her his forever. But something happened in the stubborn woman’s past and she’s determined to keep walls between them. It’s a good thing he’s a dragon. He’ll just burn down every last barrier between them and claim what’s his. But someone from her past is threatening her and her pack—and the life of the woman he’s waited a lifetime to make his own. 

* * *

Shifters, vampires and dragons are real… 

A year ago Liberty had no idea that things that go bump in the night actually existed. But supernatural beings are real. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg in her new reality. Saved from a Hell realm by a team of half-demons and a demigod, she finds herself falling for her sexy rescuer Rory more and more every day. She’s worried she’s too broken to ever have a relationship again, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny her attraction. 

And when they choose a mate, they don’t give up easily. Half-wolf, half-demon Rory has been looking out for Liberty ever since rescuing her from hell. And since she’s the wedding planner for his half-brother’s wedding, he sees her all the time. Not to mention he just happens to spend every night in her bed. Unfortunately he’s in wolf form when he stays over. He’s not sure what it’s going to take to move from friend to more, but he’s willing to wait forever if that’s what it takes. Because Liberty is worth fighting for, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make the brave survivor his. 

Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Series: Darkness #5
ISBN: #978-1942447467
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (348 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author

Purchase Info:
Amazon

Reviews in the Series:
Darkness Awakened by Katie Reus (Darkness #1)
Taste of Darkness by Katie Reus (Darkness #2)
Beyond the Darkness by Katie Reus (Darkness #3)
Hunted by Darkness by Katie Reus (Darkness #4)