I just... something something. I dunno. ( )

Some series keep you on the edge of suspense so long that you are relieved with the series ends. While I really enjoyed this series I am also relieved. Risa is pulled from so many adversaries to save the world, loved the characters but again I'm glad it's finally over.
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Great end to a fantastic series. I first started reading Keri Arthur back when Bound to Shadows was the last Riley book out, so I have followed the series from its beginning and now I am kind of sad to see it go. I'll just think of her Souls of Fire series as a prequel to her Riley Jenson and Dark Angels series.

The book had everything you would expect there to be in the final book in the series. Major show downs, family, love and acceptance. A happy ending. But also running around like crazy too.

After a series ends I can't help but imagine what their lives are going to be like after the series ends. And with Risa and everyone, I can't help but imagine they are going to have an easier life now. ( )

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.

I was on the brink of kissing this series goodbye after the previous installment because the plot became more about character drama than saving the world, and it has taken seven books for Risa to find three keys which was simply unacceptable. Keri Arthur left every single thread unresolved until DARKNESS FALLS, so this closer was an incredibly tall order, and while some arcs were dealt with entirely too neatly (i.e. Tao’s), the author was for the most part successful in concluding DARK ANGELS with a bang. She finally went back to doing what she does best, writing kickass Urban Fantasy.

This novel hit all of the keynotes with its recap, and for that I was grateful because it had become quite the jumbled mess inside my brain what with all of the backstabbing, keeping track of who impregnated who, and the various villains’ motivations. Thankfully, no new plot threads were piled on, and the story was all about defeating the sorceress, stopping Hunter, and locating the last key. Several of the characters from Arthur’s RILEY JENSON GUARDIAN series also contributed to the match point including the heroine, Quinn, Rhoan, and Jack. Oddly enough, my favourite sidekick was Amaya, Risa’s bloodthirsty demonic sword; her running commentary was an absolute riot.

The unexpected turn that Lauren’s story line took caught me completely off-guard; the author sowed the seeds for this reveal in book 1, and I loved how it all unfolded. I was also overjoyed that Azriel was kidnapped in this installment instead of Jones because the reverse has happened far too often in the DARK ANGELS universe. And, I appreciated that Arthur made the concluding chapters all about Hunter; the near insurmountable task of conquering such a formidable foe deserved nothing less. I liked how Risa tapped into every resource, ally, and weapon available in order to come out on top, and the resulting confrontation was indeed series finale worthy.

There was one character death that possibly went unnoticed by most readers; however devotees of Arthur’s above mentioned books surely felt the cataclysmic loss as much as I did. Risa & Azriel made a fab team, and I was happy that they were able to set their differences aside to not only stop the apocalypse, but also for the sake of their unborn child. These two more than deserved to sail off into the sunset, and I really enjoyed the sexually charged banter throughout this tale, although I wish that they’d acted on it a bit more. The ending did leave some room for another potential spin-off, but personally I’m past ready to bid adieu to this world.

DARKNESS FALLS was worth the wait, and the tumultuous path to get there (mostly). ( )

The conclusion to the Dark Angels series has Risa still needing to find the last key and making sure it doesn’t get into the hands of the two people who want it to rule everything; a sorceress who uses both Black and Aedh magic, and Hunter, head of both the Council of Vampires as well as the Directorate, who proves that she’s insane. But opening the last gate to Hell would destroy more than this world. So, the key must be found by a certain time or those close to Risa will be killed. And she has to find a way to take out both the sorcerer and Hunter, with both tasks appearing to be impossible.

The series, which really takes place over just a span of weeks, has been relentless with tension and action as Risa and Azriel attempt to find the keys to prevent loved ones from harm, yet keep them out of the different factions that demand she find them. And through it all Risa is exhausted as any down time is taken in snatches. And readers feel both the exhaustion and constant tension.

If I was writing this review halfway through this last book, I would have given it lower marks. The problem is that all seven books make up the quest and information brought up in much earlier books is now important to bring it all together. I’ve read hundreds of other books since this series began and I don’t recall much of what they’re talking about. Between that and the number of different directions they need to go in while jumping from one thing to the next and back again, had me losing interest for awhile. But once getting past this point, things begin to really heat up and an exciting confrontation is in sight.

The world and character building are excellent as are the situations, actions and solutions. Those familiar with Riley’s series will be happy to see her take at least a limited role in this last story.

Reading the books back to back, or at least over a shorter period of time than when they were released, would be advised. ( )