ARC Review: Night's Blaze: Part 2

Night's Blaze: Part 2 (Dark Kings #5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

He was virile, persuasive, and masculine. His rugged good looks turned heads, but in a suit, he looked dashing and powerful. A combination no woman could ignore. And he was sitting next to her. Lily wanted to run her fingers through his long, dark brown waves and pull his head down for a kiss. And if he didn’t quit looking at her as if he wanted to take her right there, she just might.

Lily Ross is taking the first step in building a new life for herself. Still reeling from a relationship that nearly broke her spirit, Lily is wary of her attraction to brawny, brooding Rhys. The passion burning so brightly between them is a potent temptation, but any entanglement is destined to end in disaster. Yet when a spectre from Lily’s past threatens their growing bond, Rhys is forced to choose with his heart, or lose this woman who has become his one chance at salvation...

Themes:  dragons, magick

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Well now, Miss Lily just got a lot more interesting.  In this section we learn a lot more about Lily and see her relationship with Rhys blossom and become even more intense.  The story continues with Lily finding herself and digging her strength out from under the fear and trauma that has shaped her recent past, instead finding the siren buried deep beneath.  Rhys also takes some interesting steps, showing us a bit more of the dark side that he has always hidden behind easy laughs but that has become more and more apparent as he dealt with the loss of his dragon.  I enjoyed this section of this story even more than the first, enjoying the passion, sweet moments and strength of character that is becoming the focus of the story.  There was also a VERY interesting tidbit about Ulrik that will be affecting every story past and present I think as we learn more about this new development.  Cannot wait to get back to Rhys and Lily’s story though I have a serious feeling that the shit is about to hit the fan in a big way for these two new lovers.

Lily has finally accepted that she will have to take drastic steps to get out from under the thumb of her abusive ex, and she will have to find that inner badass so she can find a way to beat him.  Allowing her to wrap herself in her new “armor” and embrace the sensuality she makes drastic changes and then decides that she will no longer be pushing Rhys away.  When they finally give into the passion between them the heat blazes and Rhys is no longer able to deny that she is his and she will beat  out of the darkness that is wrapping around him.  We also get to see that Rhi is moving chess pieces around in this war as well and she will definitively play a crucial role in the coming battles.  Henry too seems to be playing more and more of a role in this story and I like seeing that the Dragons have accepted that even though he is human, he is a dangerous and much needed ally.  And damn it once again I find myself wondering if Ulrik is as bad of a guy as he sometimes seems and just what his role in all this danger really is.  Only Grant can keep me on the edge like this and unable to decide who’s the bad guy and where this war will ultimately lead.  Congrats Donna, you continue to confound me with your imaginative plots.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.