Shadowed

Ever since I was introduced to this series, I have enjoyed how it held clear plot lines that moved through each book and tied off neatly as it went as various characters got their story. It’s refreshing when I could easily follow and anticipate the journey along with the character. As the series closes in on the end and many of the character plots have seen their day in the sun, I’ve still had two huge ones to anticipate and one, Jase Kayrs was told in this story. As you might have surmised from what I just said, this is a series that must be read in order as there is a huge amount of world building and backstory along with the ongoing story lines. This also means that its possible that reading the rest of my review will give series spoilers.

Jase, the last of the five royal Realm vampire brothers began as a very young carefree guy with a powerful gift back in the beginning of the series and he grew and matured into a worthy fighter in the war until the day the demons took him and twisted him into something different with five years of torture of both the mental and physical nature. What comes out on the other side is something different. Jase doesn’t even know himself and what he knows scares even him, but he truly hates the way his brothers feel the need to treat him like he’s delicate or lesser now or that they feel the need to babysit him wherever he goes. That’s why for the first time, he’s decided to take back control and do something for someone else even as he plots to use them to further his revenge against the demons.

Brenna Dunne, the oddity of the witch world and the only witch weaker than a human due to the disease eating away at her body, knows that she is dying. This does not stop her from quietly doing her duty, but suddenly when Jase Kayrs her former childhood crush arrives offering to mate her in a mating of convenience that will benefit both, she truly considers the offer. Jase is nothing like his old self and he coldly offers to mate her so his vampire blood can heal her and so that he will inherit her witch gifts since he lost his own. He makes it clear that he only lives for revenge. A small part of her hopes that maybe while he’s saving her, that she can save him.

Their mating solidifies a treaty between vampires and witches and also brings Jase up close and personal with Brenna’s crazy chaotic world. He learns for the first time that Brenna is at the center of a huge maelstrom over her prophesied destiny attached to the fact that she’s the eighth sister whose birthdate along with the Winter Solstice and a comet may indicate that she’s destined to have unbelievable and possibly uncontainable power on that night. Some want her alive to try to harness the power, but some want her dead so she can’t potentially destroy the world. She’s the world’s most wanted amongst the witches, demons and Kurjans. Jase works out that it might be a full-time occupation just keeping her alive.

Meantime, Kalin the Kurjan is weaving his complicated plots to get his hands on Janie even while Zane has his own obscure intentions toward her. Janie is just antsy to get things to the part where she’s an active part in ending the war. Janie is another one that all the world wants their hands on. Kalin soon uses Janie’s biggest weakness, her family, to coax her out of hiding when he takes her brother Garrett.

In the end, Jase is faced with the ultimate choice- revenge or love. Brenna has to be ready for the onslaught of power coming her way and the possibility that Jase will never love her as she does him. Naturally, the grand finale was breathtaking and unexpected.

There were a handful of threads running through this one, but it was not a problem keeping up. The pacing was good with a nice blend of action and passion. Jace is a cold-hearted killer toward his enemies, but gives Brenna his hot and dominate passionate nature along with a cute, emerging playfulness that she brings out in him that takes even him by surprise. I just laughed when the mating for convenience brought out his possessive and protective Vampire nature towards his mate almost from the beginning. Brenna, like Jase, is the youngest in her family. She has always been the oddity from her birth order, her looks and then the fact that she was the one poisoned by a disease that’s killing her. She’s a gentle soul who works hard for the causes she believes in and she’s always believed in Jase. She has no intention of jumping to obey every time he goes all alpha on her, but just a certain look in his eyes, his touch or his kiss turns her into a puddle of goo. They were great together and were the means of saving each others which was just heartwarming.

The only thing that took me out of the story just a little was in the very end after the big scene, the story slowed down to a crawl. Not that I didn’t enjoy the little snapshots into each little mated couples’ life, but it felt weird. It felt like the series ending though its not the ending. Like I say, it wasn’t bad per se, just weird and maybe should have been like outtakes or something.

But all in all, this was another hit out of the park leaving me eager for the next segment in the story. Paranormal Romance fans who appreciate things a little dark, a lotta heat and their heroes uber alpha should try these books.

Rebecca Zanetti has created an original, fantastical world in her DARK PROTECTOR Series. Demons, vampires, witches, and more live and work together to thwart the bad guys in the world. SHADOWED is #6. I have not read all of the books in the series or nor have I read them in order. My next Protector will be #7. The novels are well written and fast-moving. Hang onto your hat and enjoy.

Love her books. I’ve read everything she’s written.

I really enjoy these books. Rebecca Zanetti does a really spectacular job of building a continuing story over the course of the series, while at the same time, giving each book a fantastic romance and stand alone story. Here, we finally get to the last Kayrs brother, the long tortured and revenge driven Jase.

As the story begins, Jase offers himself up to Brenna in a mating. Longtime readers will remember Brenna from previous stories as Moira’s younger sister, who was poisoned back in Hunted. Now, she is dying and only a powerful mate can save her life. Jase thinks the world of the witch and mating her won’t just help her… he hopes her powers will help him grow stronger in turn, allowing him to finally destroy the demons who held him prisoner for the past five years. Brenna has a long standing crush on Jase and that, combined with her failing health, makes accepting his offer a no-brainer.

The chemistry between these two is there from the very beginning. I love that their mating takes place almost right away. It allows them to explore their attraction and build on it, though acceptance of more tender feeling takes some time. Jase is determined to fulfill his quest for revenge no matter what the cost. At the same time, Brenna is dealing with an ancient prophecy that threatens her life and wonky powers that she can’t quite master. Falling in love and securing a future are things that keep getting pushed from the forefront for both of them. Yet, neither can ignore what is growing between them.

I liked both Jase and Brenna, though at times Jase would overrule her wishes and that drives me a little crazy. I love how determined they both were to heal the other, even though their own Issues got in the way at time. The sex was hot and satisfying, but it didn’t overshadow the relationship development. The action is great –the danger never felt manufactured. I didn’t want to put it down.

One of my favorite things about these books is how cohesive they are (though they CAN be read as standalones.) All of our favorite characters from previous books play a part. Even the couples from the novellas get shout outs. And Janie’s story is front and center. I am dying to see how her story plays out. She is finally all grown up and we get just enough scenes with her, Zane, and Kalin to leave me more desperate for that book than ever. It’s almost here. Part of me is crazy-excited, but the other part is a little sad, knowing the series will likely be coming to an end.

If you haven’t tried these books before, there is no time like the present.

Rating: B

Reviewed for Cocktails & Books Blog

After being tortured for five years at the hands of the demons, Jase Kayrs is a changed man. What was once a happy, lighthearted soul is replaced with anger and vengeance. Five years after his rescue, he’s asked by the king to mate with Brenna Dunne to help save her from a poison that’s been slowly killing her for the past 10 years. Jase agrees to the mating in order to have access to her powers and the possibility of rekindling his own powers which have been dormant since his torture. Will the mating save them or destroy what’s left?

With the war escalating, demons, witches, and Kurjans attacking from all sides and an unexpected, yet dangerous ally, the Kayrs brothers can’t seem to catch a break. Brenna has her own problems to deal with: dying, losing the ability to form magic, being hunted by all factions, and facing a loveless mating, just to name a few. Brenna always thought she was a freak because she was born as an eighth sister to a seventh sister since there has never been a recorded event of that in all of the history of witches. There’s a lot of speculation around Brenna’s birth that has factions either trying to mate her to balance the immeasurable powers she is prophesized to receive on the winter solstice and another faction, including the Citizens Revolting Against Pagurus (CRAP, hehe), that want Brenna dead. It seems business as usual for the Kayrs.

I have had my fingers crossed for a Jase/Brenna mating ever since Brenna was introduced in Conn’s book! I knew she would be perfect for Jase and I’m glad Rebecca did as well! I hated seeing how Jase’s character changed since his torture. His laughter and easy smile killed by those damn demons. Brenna’s loving and nurturing nature really paired well with Jase’s hard edges. It wasn’t an easy road to journey and there were many times I didn’t think Jase could pull up from the self-destructive blaze of glory he’d resigned himself to.

My favorite part of the book was seeing all the brothers interacting together. When there are so many characters in a book, it’s hard for everyone to have face time. I’m sure glad the Kayrs brothers did, even though they were conversing in fisticuffs the majority of the time.

This book is the most action-packed of the series. There is so much going on, as soon as something else seems tied up, something else happens and the domino effect continues. There’s also lots of explosions, rescue attempts, smokin’ hot chemistry between Jase and Brenna, many fights between brothers, aFifty Shades reference that had me laughing out loud and a hilarious drunken barroom brawl with a couple of shifters.

Zane, Zane, Zane. We finally get to see him in the real world and not just in Janie’s dreams. I totally love him but he is starting to piss me off. He needs to show up, throw Janie over his shoulder and ride off into the sunset; perhaps in the next book? There are many surprises in the story and a scene that really “killed” me to read. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat with anxiety and anticipation.

Rebecca is a great author and creates characters with such depth and emotion. Her books are always an auto buy for me because she is masterful in creating these magical worlds to get lost in. I recommend ANY Rebecca Zanetti book to readers who enjoy the same.

Dark times ahead

Jase is finally home from being held prisoner by the demons. By his demons haunt him and he seeks revenge against those that held him imprisoned and tortured him. When a chance to save Brenna crops up, Jase decides to save her like she saved him!

Brenna has no more medical avenues left to fight off what was done to her a decade ago. When Jase appears out of the blue for an arranged meeting…Brenna is stunned but accepts in the hopes of surviving…and she’s also had a crush of Jase when she was younger and considers him a friend

So much happening in this book that I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, holding on for the ride. Action packed with a layer of revenge and hope makes this book a must read in the series of the Dark Protectors

I loved this series

As always Zanetti gives us an exciting read.

Brenna is slowly dying from being poisoned 10 years ago. The only way she will survive is if she mates a vampire. Jace is still struggling to deal with PTSD from his time as a demon captive. He volunteers to mate Brenna in the hope he will gain control of his elemental abilities again. Together these two deal with threats and attacks from witches, demons, and the Kurjans all the while learning how to be a couple.

I adored these two. Jace has been my favorite since the beginning and seeing him struggle has been heartbreaking. We finally see him opening up about his captivity and how he struggled to survive. Brenna has always been a mystery because she is the eighth sister of the seventh which has never happened before. Together these two learn to lean on each other and heal after years of struggling. This was an emotional and captivating story that I just couldn’t put down.

I hadn’t read the series in a long time, but needed something to read. I’d forgotten how good these books were. I really enjoyed the book and will continue to read more in the series.