He spent more than a thousand years imprisoned in Hell… of during his years of agonizing loneliness. He may not have anything to offer her, but one thing he knows for sure: he’d die to keep her safe.
Only to fall into the heaven of her touch.
Victoria is a wolf shifter, healer of the Stavros pack. She’s seen a lot, but she’s never met anybody quite like Drake, the fiery, fascinating shifter who can blaze through the skies unseen by mere mortals. He’s lost, dangerous, and the last male she should fall in love with, but the more time she spends helping him navigate modern life, the deeper—and hotter—their connection becomes. She’s thrilled when they finally locate his family, but reuniting with his people plunges them both into unimaginable danger. It’s a race against the clock trying to figure out who wants them dead and who they can trust, especially when the threat is closer than they ever imagined.
Length: Full novel (88,000 words)
Author note: Can be read as a stand-alone novel.
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Taste of Darkness is the second of Katie Reus’s DARKNESS series, and features a werewolf and a dragon with a bit of ‘beauty and the beast’ vibe. She brings her considerable skill with romantic suspense to the the whole series.
Taste of Darkness is the 2nd installment in the Darkness series by Katie Reus. I love Katie Reus’ books. She always spins an engaging tale. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Drake Petronilla is an ancient dragon shifter that had been imprisoned in hell for 1,500 years. He is finally able to escape and finds himself in a new unfamiliar world. He is a strong, smart adaptable dragon that meets Victoria and falls for her fast. He knows immediately that she is his mate. Victoria is a wolf shifter and the healer for the Stavros Wolf Pack. She is intelligent, kind and a very valued pack member. She befriends Drake, not realizing his feelings.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
I enjoyed A Taste Of Darkness, but I found that it was easy to put down. It was just lacking that little hmph to suck me in completely. Drake was fierce but lovable, and Victoria was a good pairing for him.
In a taste of darkness, the dragon finds its mate in wolf. This is my first book from the series so a few things were at first unclear but the story develops in its own way. Drake finds out that he has a family and he goes together with Victoria to find the truth. But their lives get endangered and their attraction is stronger and stronger, will they stay together and survive all the attacks? Interesting hot paranormal read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
Alpha possessive, protective heroes really rule this paranormal series, folks. An added bonus is they are matched up with perfect for them sassy, feisty heroines. So if you have a craving for a taste of steamy, romantic goodness, feel free to step in anywhere in one of these stand-alone but linked to the same series books.
Taste of Darkness takes us on the romantic journey of an awakened from his deep slumber dragon shifter, who falls head over tail for a gorgeous wolf shifter heroine. She’s befriended him from the get go, making their connection all the more sweeter. Make no mistake though. This hero is one seriously powerful creature. He’s got a torturous past in more than one way but now sees hope and eternal love in his future.
I did get a little lost at times with all the detailed talk about the various friend or foe dragon and wolf shifter clans and past incidents. Maybe it’s because I jump in here and there and read these books in no particular order. Either way, I regret nothing. Time and time again Ms. Reus serves us up a romantic couple you can’t help but root for.
Title: Taste of Darkness, Series: Darkness (Book 2), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 265, stand-alone but part of series, virgin MC, steamy late in book, dragon shifter hero, wolf shifter healer heroine, no OW/OM drama, no cheating, no love triangle.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Taste of Darkness by Katie Reus is book Two in the Darkness Series. This is the story of Victoria and Drake. I haven’t yet read the previous book,, so for me this was a standalone book.
Drake is a dragon shifter who has been trapped for a very long time. But escapes and happens to save the Alpha wolf daughter who in returns offers to help him. Drake does stay but its more to do with Victoria. Victoria is a wolf shifter who was abandoned and is now a very protected part of the pack and has turned into their healer. Victoria comes forward to help Drake catch up and get himself ready for what the world has now. But Drake wants to give Victoria everything but most importantly his love and protection.
Drake was everything I was hoping for. I was so excited about his character when we got that little bit of him in book one. He made such an impact that I jumped right into book two to get his story.
Drake had all the characteristic that I like in a hero. He was intense, broody, and dominant without being overbearing. I actually really like how he pursued Victoria. He was so patient to get what he wanted. He was focused on her and only her. He proved over and over that he put Victoria above all others. I just love that!
Victoria was just as good. She was levelheaded and likable. Her pack was overprotective and she handled it very well. There were no fits from this girl. I also liked how focused she was on Drake, as well. She wanted to be there for him just as much as he wanted to be there for her.
On top of great main characters, the plot was pretty exciting. I actually wasn’t sure who the evil foe was on this and was surprised who it ended up being. Another bonus, we got introduced to so many side characters. You can see which future couples are going to get their own book and I can’t wait to read them.
Drake is a dragon shifter, trapped in hell since childhood after being sacrificed in an attempt to open the gates of hell, betrayed by someone he should have been able to trust. After finally escaping he is totally bewildered by the modern world he finds himself in but the one thing he does know is that Victoria, the healer of the wolf pack that has given him shelter is his. With a reunion with his estranged family on the cards and his memories coming to the surface just how much danger lies ahead especially when there is someone lurking in the background who’s already shown the lengths he’ll go to to avenge imagined slights.
What’s not to like about this book – dragons, wolf shifters, vampires, demons, did I mention dragons? What I love most about this author’s writing though is the underlying depths she gives to her characters. There’s no ‘wham bam thank you ma’am’. Yes, as mates the instant attraction is there but instead of jumping straight into bed, they build up to the big moment. In Taste of Darkness Drake might be a fully grown man but after a millennia in hell he still technically has the emotional maturity of the pre-teen boy he was at the time of his ‘death’. Add in his uncertainties of what dragon mating actually involves he’s worried about maybe hurting Victoria. It makes a change to have a hero who’s hesitant of taking that final step. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing soft about Drake. When it comes down to protecting the one he loves he’s the complete alpha badass with a take no prisoners attitude. After all he was strong enough to survive hell and all it’s abominations.
Drake is a dragon with a dark past he has been rescued from Hell where he has been for hundreds of years after been sent there as a child Now he is a member of the Stavros wolf pack but he doesn’t feel as though he really belongs the only thing keeping him there is Victoria She is the healer for the pack She was adopted as a child and she feels that the pack still treats her like a child. For Drake she is his salvation she is a walking encyclopedia and is making his transition to modern life so much easier and he loves her but he isn’t sure if it is love for a best friend or so much more. When dragons visit the Stavros pack Drake finds he isn’t so alone any more and then he gets the true drift of his feelings for Victoria and when she is in danger he discovers just how strong a dragon he really is. This is a wonderful serifs and I can’t recommend it highly enough some people say it is only young adult but believe may I am way past that and I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series
Victoria is a wolf shifter and Drake is a dragon shifter who was imprisoned in HELL for over a thousand years. He helps Victoria’s Alphas daughter escape and stays with them for a couple of months. But when two dragons show up, claiming to be his brother and sister, his memory slowly starts to return. He and Victoria go visit them but someone wants him dead before he remembers who sacrificed him and sent him to HELL.
Awesome book! Can’t wait for the next one. Sizzling, suspense, and great story. What more can you ask for?
My Thoughts – 5 out of 5 Unicorns – I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! I bought this book back in 2015, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I own this whole series and many other books by Katie Reus!
The cover is very subdued, and you would know it is paranormal except for the small dragon that gives you a hint.
This is Drake and Victoria’s story!! There is some excitement when Drake’s brother and sister show up as well as other dragons that are flying near the pack land. Drake and Victoria take a trip to learn more about Dragons, but they are followed. All sorts of trouble and mysterious attacks, and the danger of not knowing who sent Drake to Hell. This was another action-packed book! I loved reading this book too! Katie has created an awesome mixed paranormal world full of intrigue and danger that pulls you right into the stories! I can’t wait to read more!!
I highly recommend to any paranormal fans who love action galore, mystery, battles, and all sorts of paranormals!
I read book one in this series a while back and forgot how much I loved this world. For the most part, it contains the same characters throughout, therefore you feel almost at home as you read. You know who everyone is and it makes you feel more involved and connected to the story.
Drake and Victoria are great characters. Drake is a dragon who was imprisoned in hell for over a thousand years. Victoria is a healer and wolf shifter with the Stavros pack that took Drake in after his escape. He knows she is his mate but wants to be worthy of her before making his move. Victoria wants to help Drake find his family, but never realized it could place them both in danger.
Drake and Victoria are so sweet together. He’s so protective of her and she gives back as good as she gets. I enjoyed meeting the new dragons from the different clans and am looking forward the next book in the series about Drake’s sister Keelin and Bran.
Great book. Great series. I would definitely recommend it.