Prince of Darkness (Dark Protectors 17) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2025

Unknown to humans, beyond daylight lies a world of intoxicating darkness where deadly creatures prowl with insatiable desires and unbelievable power: vampires, demons, witches, shifters. When vulnerable humans find themselves thrust into that realm, they’ll never be the same. . .

In the aftermath of war, a fragile peace hovers between the Kurjan nation and the Dark Protector coalition. Yet amid labyrinthine politics and intrigue, Vero Phoenix, a Kurjan, stands apart. He has lived devoid of legacy or lineage—until the day he backed his newfound brother as king, putting himself into the treacherous position of enforcer and shield. Yet there is another thorn in his side, no less vexing, undeniably captivating—and all-too-human . . .

Lyrica Graves was once ensnared by Kurjan captors and now embodies defiance and freedom as she guides other women to independence and modernity. She is particularly amused—and breathtakingly challenged—by her battles with Vero. But their clashing also belies a sizzling connection, a dark attraction between supernatural and fully human that threatens their chosen destinies and makes them a target for far too many bloodthirsty enemies .

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REVIEW: PRINCE OF DARKNESS is the seventeenth full-length instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DARK PROTECTORS paranormal/ fantasy romance series. This is Kurjan Prince Vero Phoenix, and human empath Lyrica Graves’ story line. PRINCE OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone but for backstory and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order or at the very least, reading WARRIOR’S HOPE. PRINCE OF DARKNESS is the start of a new series arc focusing on the Kurjan nation.

SOME BACKGROUND: For thousands of years the Kurjan empire had been at war with the Realm. Like the vampires, there were no females Kurjans, and the Kurjan nation would kidnap and claim enhanced human females as their mates, but the mating between half vampire/ half human Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood, the Realm King’s daughter, and the new king of the Kurjan nation Paxton Phoenix would begin to solidify a tentative peace treaty but some of the Kurjans refuse to bow to the King of the Realm, and the Kurjan nation is at war with itself.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Vero and Lyrica) PRINCE OF DARKNESS follows the building relationship between Kurjan Prince Vero Phoenix, and human empath Lyrica Graves. Struggling in his position as second in line, Prince Vero Phoenix declares himself guardian and protector of his half brother, the King, but the presence of the female human empath Lyrica Graves stirs something deep within our story line hero. Vero never expected to mate or fall in love but the rescue, arrival and murder of several human females finds Vero decidedly protective of our story line heroine. Someone is targeting the Kurjans, and Vero is determined to find out why.

The world building opens up an entirely new direction for the Dark Protectors series. The Kurjans and their spiritual leaders the Cysts were and some continue to be the enemy of the Realm but like all hate there is usually a precipitating factor or someone pushing the buttons behind the scenes.

The relationship between Lyrica and Vero is an enemies to friends to lovers relationship in which Vero struggles with his attraction to the feisty heroine. Lyrica Graves is an independent human female, a woman with empathic powers, but a woman who refuses to obey the orders of any man including the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of powerful, energetic and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters including numerous Kurjan warriors -Jonathan and Silas, tech genius Lukas and Genevieve, several mated couples including Maeve and Ralstad; as well as the return of Paxton and Hope, twins Liam and Collin, Vero’s best friend Hunter, Benjamin Reese and his mate Karma, Dr. Fizzlewick, King Zane, and Queen Janie Kayrs. The requisite evil has many faces.

PRINCE OF DARKNESS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance,madness and murder, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is action packed, intriguing, enchanting, and dramatic; the characters are charismatic and determined; the romance is fated yet flawed.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance
Alpha’s Promise
Hero’s Haven
Vixen
Guardian’s Grace
Vampire
Rebel’s Karma
Immortal’s Honor
Garrett’s Destiny
A Vampire’s Kiss
Warrior’s Hope
A Vampire’s Mate

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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