#Review: Untouchable Darkness by Rachel Van Dyken - 3.5 Stars

Title: Untouchable Darkness
Series: The Dark Ones Saga #2
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Publication: December 29th 2015
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Crystal
Source: Author Assistant
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

To love a Dark One is to invite death...

It is wrong to love her.
It is worse to want her.
It is sin to consume her.
I desire all three.

I've been given thirty days to prove my love to another immortal--as a human. Cursed to use nothing but the side of myself I've always despised to win her affection. I am Cassius, the King of the immortals, A Dark One.
And today I tasted fear for the first time.
How can I win her when my human emotions over take every ounce of logic I possess?
A darkness is brewing.
One I cannot stop as a human.
One that Stephanie, my loves visions, have shown, will be my end.
Thirty days ago I was King of the immortals.
Today I know fear.
Today I know how I will die.
By her hand.
The woman I love. 

Crystal's Thoughts:

Rachel Van Dyken entices with her world of the Dark Ones, and in her latest installment of Untouchable Darkness, delves into the dark, violent, and poignant world of the King of Immortals - Cassius.

With thirty days to win over the heart of Stephanie and teach her all he can about being a Dark One, Cassius knows his chances of succeeding are slim. His human emotions constantly outweigh his logic and his passions consume his intellect. When a sinister darkness rises and threatens the world of the immortals, it is more important then ever for Cassius to gain control of his new, human body, and teach Stephanie to master her own abilities. But will her mastery also bring his death?

Dark & sexy, I really liked Untouchable Darkness, and was left craving more of this world of Dark Ones. Cassius was such a great character. I was intrigued by his shadowy, brooding, and frigid attitude in the first book, Dark Ones, and was so glad when I realized the next book would be his story. His is story forged in fire and I couldn't help but feel for him and his experiences. When he sacrifices his immortality to save Stephanie, we see a new side of Cassius. His protective, take-charge attitude endeared me to him all the more, just as his naivety did when it came to all things romantic.

With Stephanie, however, I spent most of the book irritated with her every thought and action. Raised as a Siren and being in love with Cassius for as long as she can remember, you would think she would be receptive of Cassius' new attitude and clarity in feelings. That was not the case though. Stephanie was too busy living in the hurts of the past to see the potential happiness for the future. The tension between Cassius and Stephanie eventually reaches the boiling point though and Stephanie has to decide to either put her trust in Cassius and risk being hurt again, or letting him go forever. 

The group dynamics between the ruling body of immortals is entertaining as always in Untouchable Darkness. Each of the Cassius and Stephanie's fellow house-mates and friends are intriguing, and I love the witty dialogue between them all. The world building of the Dark Ones is phenomenal and I am so looking forward to see where Rachel Van Dyken takes readers (and Alex) next!