DARK ALPHA’S NIGHT (Reaper #5) by Donna Grant-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date March 6, 2018

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

To some Fae, I am their worst nightmare. For I do Death’s bidding. But for all our strength and skill, a powerful enemy has risen up. Finding Ettie could change everything. The Half-Fae is our one chance. She’s sharp and strong and fierce. She steals my breath every time I’m near her. And looking into her eyes is like a bolt of lightning right through me. She’s what I’ve been waiting for my long, dark existence. But for us to be together, we must first stay alive…

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REVIEW: DARK ALPHA’S NIGHT is the fifth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult REAPER 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 Daire, and Fae Halfling Ettie OByrne’s story line. Daire has been on assignment following Rhi (a Light Fae warrior) in the Dark Kings series, but his return to the Reapers means the possibility of finding his future.

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 perspectives including Ettie and Daire DARK ALPHA’S NIGHT follows Daire and the Reapers as they go in search of Bran’s descendants-Fae and half-Fae whose magical powers may be used against the Reapers and the women they love. Enter Ettie O’Byrne, and her younger sisters Carrie and Jamie who, for all of their lives, had been preparing for a possible attack by the Fae. What ensues is the building romance between Ettie and Daire; and the discovery of magic and power shrouding the O’Bryne lands.

Death is dying; her powers have been slowly siphoned off such that Death is no longer able to help the men and women who do her bidding. As the Reapers continue their search for Bran, Bran continues to seek revenge against Death and her Reaping minions. Ettie O’Byrne is a warrior; preparing all of her life for the inevitable meeting with the Fae but Ettie never expected to be caught up in a war between good and evil, and it is Ettie who may hold the clue for what it is Bran is looking.

The relationship between Daire and Ettie is quick to develop although someone else has staked a claim on our story line heroine. Bran needs something that Ettie hides but Ettie is unaware of the item or its existence. Daire becomes guardian and protector of the woman with whom he is falling in love but Bran’s powers are growing exponentially, and the Reapers are seriously out-powered by the man they once called a friend. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the Reapers and their significant others, Erith (aka Death), and Bran. Reaper Eoghan is still missing, caught up in the magic of the Light Fae Rhi-magic that sent the Reaper to places unknown.

The world building reveals the O’Byrne family history and their connection to the Fae, as well as Daire’s original demise and how he came to be part of Death’s Reapers.

DARK ALPHA’S NIGHT explains and discloses some of the history between Bran and the Reapers, as well as the truth about Death’s beginnings and her true identity. The premise is exciting and affecting; the characters are dynamic and charismatic; the romance is fated and seductive. DARK ALPHA’S NIGHT is a great addition to Donna Grant’s REAPERS series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dark Alpha’s Claim
Dark Alpha’s Embrace
Dark Alpha’s Demand
Dark Alpha’s Lover
Dark Alpha’s Night

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

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