Title: Shadow Rising (Dark Dynasties)
Author : Kendra Leigh Castle
Description: Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions...
As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend, Sammael, vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.
A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, what begins as an alliance of necessity soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally...or tear them—and everything they care about—apart.
My Thoughts:
Ariane is part of the Grigori. Grigori's are watchers, but can never intervene. Not many of the other dynasties know much about the Grigori. Ariane's only true friend Samuel went missing and going against the rules of her people and consequences be damned, she flees her sheltered life in the desert to search of him. Now those who do this get classified as a deserter and are not looked kindly upon.
Damien Tremien , world weary well known shape shifting thieving assassin that he is for the house of shadows just got a job he couldn't pass up this pay day. Though after continous run-ins with Ariane, this shade just got a partner who just happens to be a tempting and beautiful Grigori . And well Ariane just may have got more then she imagined on this journey of finding her friend .
This is the third book in the series. I have the first two that I will be reading as soon as I can, and reviewing them as well. This can be read as a stand-alone. Castle has found a wonderful job of making sure new readers don't get lost and helping you understand each dynasty and what they are about. Ariane is a sweet, innocent, and soft spoken leading lady, but underneath all that lays a determined woman who is loyal to those she cares for. Not to mention she is strapped with a big sword and knows how to use it. After all, she is a trained Grigori warrior. What else did you think she was learning in the desert all those years? She is fierce when it comes to fighting and I love a leading lady who is soft where it counts and has a back bone when it's needed.
Damien is your sexy shade who thinks he is incapable of caring for anyone. He has no problem lusting after the ladies, but something about Ariane brings out his protective side. He's always as good as his next pay day, and has a mouth on him that makes me want to have a battle of wits with him. I know many of the things that came out of it had me chuckling and shaking my head. Damien isn't the rogue he thinks he is it just took the right woman to prove it.
You will keep turning the pages to watch the romance grow and the spars between them. You can't help but fall in love with these two. Not to mention the mystery of Samuel and a few others you will come to see. Castle has created a unique world with never a dull moment. I am anxious for the next installment and will say you definitely will want to read this book.
Author : Kendra Leigh Castle
Description: Ancient Secrets, Dark Passions...
As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend, Sammael, vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.
A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, what begins as an alliance of necessity soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally...or tear them—and everything they care about—apart.
My Thoughts:
Ariane is part of the Grigori. Grigori's are watchers, but can never intervene. Not many of the other dynasties know much about the Grigori. Ariane's only true friend Samuel went missing and going against the rules of her people and consequences be damned, she flees her sheltered life in the desert to search of him. Now those who do this get classified as a deserter and are not looked kindly upon.
Damien Tremien , world weary well known shape shifting thieving assassin that he is for the house of shadows just got a job he couldn't pass up this pay day. Though after continous run-ins with Ariane, this shade just got a partner who just happens to be a tempting and beautiful Grigori . And well Ariane just may have got more then she imagined on this journey of finding her friend .
This is the third book in the series. I have the first two that I will be reading as soon as I can, and reviewing them as well. This can be read as a stand-alone. Castle has found a wonderful job of making sure new readers don't get lost and helping you understand each dynasty and what they are about. Ariane is a sweet, innocent, and soft spoken leading lady, but underneath all that lays a determined woman who is loyal to those she cares for. Not to mention she is strapped with a big sword and knows how to use it. After all, she is a trained Grigori warrior. What else did you think she was learning in the desert all those years? She is fierce when it comes to fighting and I love a leading lady who is soft where it counts and has a back bone when it's needed.
Damien is your sexy shade who thinks he is incapable of caring for anyone. He has no problem lusting after the ladies, but something about Ariane brings out his protective side. He's always as good as his next pay day, and has a mouth on him that makes me want to have a battle of wits with him. I know many of the things that came out of it had me chuckling and shaking my head. Damien isn't the rogue he thinks he is it just took the right woman to prove it.
You will keep turning the pages to watch the romance grow and the spars between them. You can't help but fall in love with these two. Not to mention the mystery of Samuel and a few others you will come to see. Castle has created a unique world with never a dull moment. I am anxious for the next installment and will say you definitely will want to read this book.
4. out of 5 stars
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