Mason thought he lost his chance at love when his mate died years ago, but when Serenity, a vampire, enters his life, everything changes. He’s drawn to her and he has no clue why. He craves her in ways he can’t explain, and starts the mating process without even thinking. Serenity is also drawn to Mason and these two together is in-explainable. With everyone in the house on edge trying to figure … figure out the changes going on with Mason, and happy he’s finally willing to find love again, but worried that it’s with a vampire, things definitely get interesting. The only one who truly seems to understand is the all knowing Cassius.
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Disclaimer: Yes, I’m a fan of Rachel’s. Yes, I read everything she writes. Yes, I can still be objective.
Now… on with it.
Darkest Temptation is the 4th book in the Dark Ones series. Technically it is one that can be read alone, but there’s so much you’ll miss if you don’t read the first 3 books. (Links to those near the end of this post!) I’ve loved them all, so it’s not a waste of time or of money, in my humble opinion. It truly adds to the experience if you read them all.
This book is Mason and Serenity’s story.
I’ve loved Mason’s character since book 1. He’s mysterious, dark, and handsome. Like seriously… did you SEE the cover?! (Swooning here!!) I honestly couldn’t wait to get to his story! Anyway… he’s been the friend, the confidante, and mostly, the voice of reason for all those living in the house. Until now. Now, he just thinks he’s going crazy because he can’t control his urges for blood. And meat. And for Serenity.
Serenity thinks she’s a new vampire. New, as in young, compared to all the other immortals in the house. She’s been injured and has been brought into the house for safety and healing after being viciously attacked by her own kind… or so they think.
Mason and Serenity’s connection is undeniable and ultimately too hard for them to both fight anymore. They try to fight the chemistry and draw they have with each other because wolves and vampires don’t mate. But they can only fight it for so long. However, there’s so much more to their story than the road to becoming mates.
There are so many twists and turns in this story that sometimes I missed something important and had to go back and re-read portions. So, if you’re a fast reader, like me, slow down and enjoy the crazy inner workings of Rachel’s mind! It’s quite fascinating. Just when you think you might have it all figured out, she throws in a plot twist and it’s insanely awesome. This story truly felt like a roller coaster ride between the plot twists and the emotions it brought out. There’s wit and humor among the main characters that we’ve come to expect from them. I mean, they call themselves family and we all know how functionally dysfunctional families can be.
This world Rachel has introduced us to is not your average paranormal world. So if you think that if you’ve read one, you’ve read them all, throw that thought out the window and give this book (and the entire series) a chance. I’m not a HUGE paranormal fan (more like a bandwagon type paranormal fan), but I’ve loved all The Dark Ones books. While I loved Twilight, and was constantly torn between Team Edward and Team Jacob, I am firmly planted on Team Mason!
NICUnurse’s Rating: I give this story 5 stars because it stuck with me for days. I mulled over all the twists and turns, Mason and Serenity’s relationship, and what the ending meant for the next book. And I want to tell you all the spoilers so bad right now, but I can’t because that would rob you of an amazing few hours in Rachel’s world of The Dark Ones. And Darkest Temptation is even hotter than the Siren’s story!
Congratulations Rachel! Yet another winner from an amazingly talented storyteller!
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: Darkest Temptation
: The Dark Ones Saga #4
: Rachel Van Dyken
: 3.5/5
It is really hard for me to write this review since I loved Mason from the previous books and I think I just set the bar too high. It was a great story and I really liked it, but I was just missing the Mason from the previous books somehow. I did like how much focus there was on the relationship between Mason and Serenity. It was clear that Mason still needed to process some things from his past. I liked how the story had multiple layers and sometimes a more difficult plot. The romance and the steaminess was as good, the pace was good as well because I did not want to stop reading. Overall, I did really like this book even though Mason felt a bit different to me, I am so glad I got to read this story.
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
I really enjoyed this book. Mason was basically a big old wounded teddy bear in the other books and in this one we got to learn more about him and what was going on with him. I like that he rounded out the council members getting mates and that each mate is more unique than the last. Serenity was part goddess and didn’t even know it. That also seems to be a theme. Hiding what the female protagonist really is until they need to help their mate. Either way, I’m here for it. And now I’m going to reread Timber’s book and will probably like it even better because I have all the back story now. And I still think Mason is essentially a teddy bear.
When howling is actually a song
Can I just start by saying this whole series has had me hooked . I’m really enjoying the way all these paranormal beings have comradeship and have come together as a family .
This one is about Mason – the werewolf of the group and his true mate serenity .
In the previous books mason has easily been my favorite character . He has been sweet and kind and so caring . And to be honest I struggled with him in the first half of the book because he was lime a completely different character – he became blunt and rough and agitated all the time . But as I kept reading I realized this was all part of his transformation and he is still Mason !
In terms of this story mason has experienced a great loss in the past of his first mate , his heart is broken and that caused him to step down from his purpose as werewolf king . Until her .
Serenity is lost and lonely , she doesn’t know where she belongs and hasn’t had a real home . Until him .
They think a werewolf can’t , like it’s impossible can’t , but their connection is unstoppable !
This book is another great work by rvd and I highly recommend it ! (And the first books of the saga too !!! They are all great and add to the story as a whole ! )
The more I read of this series the more I fall in love with this paranormal world Rachel Van Dyken has created.
Mason has been a character that has intrigued me from the very first book. He has shown such a tender caring side to each of the females and yet there has always been a lingering feeling that he was dealing with so much more than he showed his friends. Although this is a standalone and can be read and enjoyed on it’s own if you are looking to get the most enjoyment out of Mason’s story I recommend reading the previous books in the series as each one gives you more insight into Mason.
Mason and Serenity shared a connection so intimately deep that neither one of them understood but the more time they were around each other the deeper the connection grew while more questions swirled around them. Secrets of the past are revealed leaving Serenity and Mason with answers and an entirely different view of everything they thought they knew.
Mason and Serenity tugged at my heartstrings they both had so many fears and inner thoughts that I have had so I felt a very deep connection with them. I can’t wait to read Timber’s book since he’s another character that has intrigued me since he was first introduced.
This is the first book in the Series the Dark Ones Saga. I’ve read all 4.
I really like the the story line and how all the books are tied together. Hot Vampires, Werewolves, Dark Angels how can you go wrong.
There’s some humor some steamy sex, some happy ever after’s all while saving the word and the human race!
I just love this series!! Mason, the lone wolf that he is, has always had a special place in my heart and I knew he was destined for great things with a great love by his side…but I had no clue how wondrous his destiny would be.
Rachel Van Dyken continues the Dark Ones Saga with Mason and Serenity’s story and their fates were more intertwined and majestic than I could have imagined or hope for.
Both characters are no strangers to loneliness but Mason’s was by choice and now that Serenity is under the same roof his most basic and primal urges get much stronger and harder to resist. Her presence brings out everything he’s denied himself for centuries and once he finally gives in his world is completely flipped on its axis as he’s finally faced with taking his rightful place and claiming his mate.
What I love be so much about this series is that while it falls into the paranormal genre, it still feels so mainstream with the passion and heat intensity as well as the emotion and comic relief included with each book. The great immortals in this series are just as goofy, emotional and combative as any family sharing the same room. They way they pick on each other one minute and stand side by side in support of one another the next just completes me.
I was so worried that Mason’s story would be the last because I didn’t want this series to end…and I was so excited to find out that there will be more. I CANNOT wait!!!
Loved diving back into this awesome paranormal world!
So, so happy that Mason got his much deserved happily ever after. Like our other favorite Immortal couples, he & Serenity went through such an incredible, hard-fought journey to get where they ended up. Glamours, shady deals, secrets, lies, denial, blood lust, gotta-have-it-now sex (woot-woot!)… LOTS of page-turning stuff! I only wish we learned more about their “Royal life” at the end. (I wanna know about the traditions Hope said would have to be performed in front of the pack & what the new living situation will be like!)
My only gripe… I was somewhat confused & lost a little interest in the story during the flashbacks. I was craving the sexy times, the banter & the magic (my FAVORITE things about this series) to happen in present day, so when it went back & things slowed down… I found myself speed reading at times.
Curious to see what happens next in The Dark Ones Saga! Timber & his leading lady should have an interesting story but I think I’m even more excited to get more fun times with Ethan, Alex, Mason & the rest of the crew!! 🙂
Good book, i feel as i did with the rest of the series that I’m missimg something. I feel the story line is only half way there before a new plot twist is introduced. Leaving me more questions than answers.
Mason & serenity did have some funny scenes but the story just wasn’t there for me.
Mason is easily jealous, “he full-on glared. “Why would you need Ethan? He’s mated.” Mason’s thoughts are very primal, “because I was minutes away from stripping her naked next to a head of lettuce. That damn well would cause a need for clean-up on aisle four.” Mason just doesn’t understand his woman at times, “is there a reason you’re asking about my father after having ***? Is this a vampire thing? You need to know I have good breeding stock as a wolf. I know I can—” This is the sotry I’ve been dying for and now I’m sad Mason’s story is over but I’m hoping this series isn’t over because I demand more.
This author is wonderful. Great imagination.
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series, so much that I missed the release of the third book, so I had to do a bit of re-reading before I dove into Mason and Serenity’s story. With that being said, I think this one ranks as my favorite so far! Even though it can be read as a standalone, you should read from the very beginning since all the characters make appearances.
Awwww Mason, the werewolf king that constantly fights everything that’s natural to him. He snacks on berries and hunts for pinecones, but that’s enough to sate his appetite, when what he really wants is meat and something he craves even more, blood. Already having one mate who died, he believes there’s no chance for another mate … it just doesn’t happen that way. But you can’t deny when he sees Serenity, a vampire, for the first time his blood calls to her and vice versa.
Fighting against the fact that werewolves and vampires never mate, Mason fights so hard to keeps his distance. Serenity was found at the house’s front gate, badly beaten and the need to be healed. And that’s where Mason comes along, he’s a healer. No matter how hard he tries to fight the pull towards Serenity, it’s only a matter of time before the both of them give in.
“Solitude used to be my peace, my…serenity. I jolted away from the counter as gasps fell from my mouth. Serenity. It was gone. My comfort in my loneliness was gone. Replaced with… Her.”
And boy when they do, it’s steammmmmmy. Who knew what grocery shopping could do to people That’s what happens when you let things build up for so long, you’ll be surprised with the fact that they don’t give in earlier.
I loved that there was a bit of mystery to Mason and Serenity, we’re constantly unraveling new things about these two that quite frankly surprised the heck out of me! But it worked out perfectly for this book and it flowed together quite nicely. Being a huge fan of the PNR genre, I appreciate it when the author adds their own personal touches to it creating a world where all immortals serve a purpose.
“Every immortal has a created purpose. Wolves heal, we communicate with the stars. Vampires are better with their hands, able to seamlessly insert themselves in the human world and protect.”
I’m such a fan of this series and Rachel Van Dyken, and she needs to do more PNR because they would be 1-clicks for me!