Dark Alpha’s Hunger

4.5 stars–DARK ALPHA’S HUNGER is the sixth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult REAPERS paranormal/fantasy romance series. The REAPERS is a spin off from Donna’s DARK KINGS series which is a spinoff from Donna’s DARK WARRIOR series which in turn is a spin off from Donna’s DARK SWORD series- all set in the Highlands of Scotland. You do not have to have read any of the previous series to understand the premise but many of the events overlap with the events of the Dark Kings. This is Reaper Eoghan, and half-fae, musician Thea Keegan’s story line. DARK ALPHA’S HUNGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Reapers (believed to be a folk lore amongst the Fae) are a group of Dark and Light Fae, selected by Death (aka Erith), on their own deathbed, to do her bidding-Death is the judge and jury; the Reapers are the executioners. The Reapers are not harbingers of death, but are tasked with destroying the Light and Dark Fae who have crossed a line from which there is no return. All Reapers must follow two rules: never to fall in love; and never to reveal their existence to anyone. If you have read Donna’s DARK KINGS series you will recognize the familiarity between the two series as both follow a similar plot and premise including betrayal by one of their own. Bran is a former Reaper who fell in love but Death ended their relationship by destroying his heart and the woman he loved, sentencing Bran to Netherworld for millions of years. Upon his escape, Bran sets about to destroy the Reapers, and seeks revenge against the woman known as Death.

Told from several third person points of view including Eoghan and Thea, DARK ALPHA’S HUNGER follows the forbidden relationship between Reaper Eoghan, and half-fae, musician Thea Keegan. Eoghan has been missing; sent through a portal into the unknown until a music melody calls to him from beyond the mist. Enter Thea Keegan, a young woman unaware of her half-Fae heritage but a woman whose control over melody and music calls to our hero’s heart. With his return to the land of his ancestors, Eoghan will be drawn to our story line heroine, a heroine whose attraction to Eoghan is immediate and swift. Eoghan will be assigned, by Death, as the leader of a new band of Reapers, Reapers who will soon find themselves searching for the woman with whom Eoghan will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Eoghan and Thea, and the potential fall-out as Thea is kidnapped, not once but twice by two very powerful Fae.

DARK ALPHA’S HUNGER is a revealing story line that introduces several new characters into the author’s numerous interconnected and cross-over series focusing on the Dragon Kings, the Reapers, and the war with the Fae. The introduction of Thea and a second group of Reapers shifts the focus of the series in another direction foreshadowing a much deeper connection by everyone concerned. Although the Dragon Kings are noticeably absent, more is revealed about the past and Queen Usaeil’s role in the destruction of relationships, family and love. Death is slowly succumbing to the loss of her magic and power, a loss that threatens the Reapers, and the position they hold.

DARK ALPHA’S HUNGER is a story of music and magic; family and betrayal; second chances, and falling in love. The premise is intriguing and thought provoking; the romance is spirited and fated; the characters are complex and consuming. Donna Grant’s REAPERS and the many interconnected series is a flight into the fantastic that pulls that reader into a passionate world of the paranormal.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley no monetary compensation was received the opinions I have expressed are my own. This was my first time ever reading anything from this author and let me tell you that it’s definitely not going to be my last. I have to admit that I haven’t read the entire series so it did kinda make it hard to follow the story. Some of the characters mention I didn’t know who they were. But that didn’t take away from the story I really enjoyed the book anyway even though it was the sixth book in the series. Eventually it was easy to figure out who the characters were and follow along. Overall enjoyable and entertaining read I will be definitely checking out the other books in the series.

I read an ARC copy of Dark Alpha’s Hunger from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. Dark Alpha’s Hunger by Donna Grant is book six in the Reaper series. The Reapers are a unique group among the Fae. Both the Dark and the Light Fae make up the Reapers. They align primarily with Death and each other. Reapers are responsible for the execution of the Fae so deplorable they can no longer exist among their people. This story focuses on the Reaper Eoghan and the Half Fae Thea. When the couple finds each other, Thea discovers she belongs in a world of magic she never knew existed.

One can read this book as a stand-alone, more so than the rest of the series. The storyline diverts a bit with this installment. It moves away from the main Reaper group and introduces multiple new characters. I always suggest in a setting such as the Dark World, that reading all previous installments take place. Hostilities in a realm that includes the Reapers and the Dragon Kings in the immediate, and going as far back as the Dark Sword series, are now in full swing. Several characters that share time here have deep-seated pasts. To omit confusion background information is given when relevant, but the full dramatic effect will not occur if that past is not familiar to the reader.

As always, the characters are engaging. And who doesn’t enjoy a sexy Fae with an Irish brogue? Eoghan has the respect of his fellow companions due to his integrity. Thea overcomes a dark past to find happiness in a new world. The attraction between the two is fast and fierce. I am not typically in support of an insta-love scenario, but overlook it when the payoff is worth it. In the Dark World, the thematic developments deeply integrate into their world and are tremendously compelling. I like the buildup of various subplots, and again, sexy Fae.

For those who are aware of the Dark World and its complexity. ** Beware of minor spoilers.** Usail, the Light Queen, has gone way beyond what I feel is redeemable. Or rather, any delusions regarding Usail’s true nature can no longer be contested after her actions and admissions in Dark Alpha’s Hunger. If one considered Usail’s words carefully, there is a slight hint about Rhi and her Dragon King. Perhaps one that gives it away. But, maybe not. This secret, as for many others readers, is one I am invariably trying to uncover.

What I find best about these books is the world building. The Dark World is a fun and intriguing urban fantasy setting, everything interconnects. The males are dominant but possess decency and honor. The women rise above their fear and become better for it. The romantic interludes are always sensual. I plan for the release dates, so I don’t have to wait to experience them. My opinions may not match others, and I encourage everyone to find their own.

Thea is an orphan, a half fae and loves to play the violin. She is in a band and they get pretty good gigs. She has always been drawn to a set of portal stones. She goes there to play her music and all of a sudden a hand reaches out. She grabs and pulls as hard as she can and a beautiful man appears. Eoghan is a Reaper and has been trapped in the stones for awhile. He becomes leader of a second group of Reapers. Thea’s music helped him find his way out. There is something about her that draws him and he waits for her after a gig but someone else is there and tries to kill him. He takes her home and leaves but the man returns and kidnaps her. Eoghan is enraged and finds her by following her music. She is in a little cottage. They take her back to where they have their base. They go one a mission to find the fae that took her but of course she gets kidnapped again, by the Queen of Light. Can Eoghan get to her before it’s too late?
Very interesting story. Sexy, secrets, and surprises. The only thing I couldn’t pronounce most of the names. That’s a little annoying. Reapers, Death, Fae and magic.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

Every book I read by Ms. Grant is so good I think to my self, “How could the next book possibly be this good?” Well, Dark Alpha’s Hunger has done it. It is amazingly written and the love between Eoghan and Thea is heart melting. There are so many new revelations in this book. I can’t wait for the amazing ride the following books are going to take us on. Keep em coming Donna Grant. Hopefully we don’t have to wait to much longer for the next book. Keep reading my friends!

Stuck in a place with no light, no sound except for Eoghan’s breathing and the cries of the beast hunting him, he’s fighting an unseen enemy hoping to find a way out from whatever realm he was thrust into. And then he hears it. There’s music echoing in his soul, leading him to the light. He doesn’t expect the blue-haired Halfling to be the savior she is and yet he’s glad it was her and no one else. The mysteries of her past, however, could prove more dangerous than the plot from his.

With a dark, mysterious, and exciting opening I was expecting the whole book to follow in that vein. It didn’t, really, but it wasn’t a bad story either. It was a bit less in terms of following the same flow of the other Reaper stories, but it became a vessel for a ton of changes and connections with the Dark Kings series that made my heart beat nearly out of my chest. Eoghan was still the same aloof male he was before now, but there’s a softening in him because of Thea. Finding his voice was quite interesting and learning of his past was appropriately sad, though it was his evolution as a leader and a friend that I enjoyed most about him here. Thea was interesting mainly because of her connections and her music, but on her own she was slightly bland. She did make a good mate for Eoghan by the end though. The introduction of another Fae as well as Eoghan’s new role were both incredibly exciting because of their implications for the rest of the series as well as the surrounding stories. With six of the seven Reapers finding their mates I can hardly wait to see if all our hopes and yearnings for Cael are granted in Dark Alpha’s Awakening.

This is part of the Reaper series and very well written with character and storyline. Awaiting the next in the series. Sit in comfortable seat to enjoy this book you won’t want to put down.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

I have read several of Ms. Grant’s different series over the years…Dark Sword, Dark Kings, Heart of Texas, Sons of Texas, and Masters of Seduction and her stories are FANTABULOUS! I love her writing style so much. She captures you and you are in for the ride of your life. So many emotions and suspense and most importantly the chemistry between the H/h is beyond cataclysmic. I am so behind in this series and I have only read this book , which happens to be number 6. I have to play catch up, Lol. This is Thea and Eoghan’s story and though I was a bit lost, not much, I enjoyed this read very much! As with her other books in the Dark Sword and Dark Kings series most of the stories are interwoven and you do need to keep up with some of the characters names but seeing as I have her other series I was keeping right along with the story line. I liked this facet of the story about Death and her Reapers.. I am an avid fan of Ms. Grant’s work and will continue to read all of her stories. I loved it! 4.5 stars!!!!

Thea grew up in an orphanage. She has no idea who either of her parents are. Her only abiding love is her music. Once she was given a violin, nothing else mattered. She also has a fascination with the standing stones she visited as a child. Playing her music there will have very dramatic effects.
Eoghan is drawn to the music. Following the sound guides him from the depths of the Hell he has lived in . Now he is free, Death herself has a task for him.
The Fae, both dark and light have reason to fear. There is a new team of Reapers in play.
Lots of excitement and magical characters. Our heroine will discover things about her heritage that she would probably rather not known. You can pick your friends but not your family.
This is a series that is best read in order because of the underlying story, but you could read each book on its own.
I love this series and will read any I can get my hands on.

Dark Alpha’s Hunger by Donna Grant is book Six in the Reaper series. This is the story of Thea and Eoghan. I have read the previous books which added to my enjoyment of this one, but you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
This has been such an exciting series to read and this book just added more to the series. Thea’s music smooths Eoghan who is in a dark place. Their bond starts to grow opening them both up to a life they didn’t think they would have but there is still the threat that continues for this series.
Overall loved reading their story and can’t wait for the next installment into the series!