#Review: Prowled Darkness by Carrie Ann Ryan - 4.5 wine Glasses

Title: PROWLED DARKNESS
Series: Dante's Circle #7
Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Format: Kindle, 107 Pages
Published: May 10, 2016 by Amazon Digital Services, LLC
ISBN: ASIN:B01BLJGA9S
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

Eliana Sawyer’s life was rocked from its foundation twice in as many years. She risked her heart and had it shattered into a thousand pieces when Malik left her with no warning. While she’d normally raise her chin and ignore the pain, she can’t forget what he gave her before he disappeared from her life.

Malik Ward is a prince amongst the lion shifters and knows that one day he will have to take a mate. Only, his people can never mate with humans. Under the mistaken impression that Eliana was only human, he forced himself to leave before they’d crossed a line and he broke his vow to his people. Now that he knows the truth about Eliana, however, it will take more than groveling to win back the one woman fated to be his.

While Eliana and Malik embark on a new sensuous path that might lead to disaster, the realms aren’t ready to allow the final lightning-struck human to be enveloped into their fold. The couple will have to combat those plotting against them, as well as the broken promises and heated emotions they share.

Warning: Contains a Leo with a bite that’s worse than his roar, a woman with one last chance at the life she’s always dreamt of, a flame that could extinguish with the wrong sacrifice, and the final journey in the bestselling Dante’s Circle series. 

Linda's Thoughts:
“He wouldn't grovel, wouldn't fall to his knees and beg forgiveness. He was the son of the Leo, the King of all lions. He would, one day soon, be the Leo and reign over his people. He couldn't fall for her more than he already had, but he could hope she could see how he felt.

Because if she didn't, he wasn't sure what he would do next.”

PROWLED DARKNESS by Carrie Ann Ryan is a totally awesome finale to the author's addictive Dante's Circle series! I've been dying to read lightning-struck-human Eliana Sawyer's and lion-shifter Malik Ward's story since the last book which had left them both in a lurch and am thrilled to report that it's a very satisfying roller-coaster ride chock-full of surprising twists and turns.

PROWLED DARKNESS is the seventh book in the series, but it could be enjoyed as a standalone, if that is your preference. That said, I would recommend that you read the first book, DUST OF MY WINGS, beforehand, as it sets the stage for all the books.

In a nutshell, in the author's Dante's Circle world, all humans have a hidden supernatural trait. Over time, that trait has weakened and no longer manifests. Then...  seven friends are struck by magical gods-sent lightning while having drinks in a bar. The lightning-struck humans find that, when they fall in love with their fated  supernatural mates, their own supernatural trait comes to the forefront in a stunning metamorphosis. PROWLED DARKNESS is the story of the last lightning-struck human. Eliana Sawyer has had the misfortune of falling in love with Malik, who she believes to be human.

Malik has walked away from Eliana as he is a lion destined to be king. Despite his deep feelings for Eliana, he cannot mate with her as she is a human. Because he is royal, he has to mate with another supernatural.

Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! Ignorance is not bliss with this couple as each believed the other to be human. AND that's just the tip of the iceberg of the obstacles in their way. But, with their attraction burning so hot and steamy, I held out hope that love would find a way!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this read:

“Telling a male lion not to be a lion wasn't exactly the easiest thing in the world.”
---

“He kissed her softly. "I think we both need time to get to know one another before we make love again. I don't want to rush things."

"But mating us so we're connected for all eternity isn't rushing things?”
---

“You scared the life out of me."
"Good thing cats have nine lives, then," she teased.”
---

“What am I?" she asked ...
"You are mine," he answered roughly, his forehead still on hers.”

Carrie's writing is addictive and highly entertaining. The world and the spectacular array of characters the author has created are nothing short of incredible. The story kept me riveted from the first sentence to the last. If you are a fan of top-notch, highly original paranormal urban fantasy romances with intense set-your-sheets-on-fire chemistry and copious amounts of danger and action sequences, PROWLED DARKNESS is right up your alley!

Suggested Reading Order: 

Dante's Circle Series

Book 1: Dust of My Wings

Book 2: Her Warriors' Three Wishes

Book 3: An Unlucky Moon 

Book 3.5: His Choice

Book 4: Tangled Innocence

Book 5: Fierce Enchantment 

Book 6: An Immortal's Song 

Book 7: Prowled Darkness