Deathtrap by Dannika Dark
Series: Crossbreed #3
Published by Indie
Published on: September 5, 2017
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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For Raven Black, hunting criminals is second nature. So is denial. It's not easy moving forward with one foot stuck in the past. But a new case offers her a much-needed distraction when Keystone accepts their toughest assignment yet - to track down an elusive criminal who's selling children on the black market.
Their investigation leads them deep into the underbelly of the Breed world, a place both treacherous and enticing. With no room for mistakes, Raven makes a tough decision to lock the door to her past before it interferes with her job. The only trouble? Christian holds the key.
The stakes are high, and a shocking twist turns everything on its head. Will they catch this criminal before more lives are lost? Find out in the latest edge-of-your-seat installment of the Crossbreed series.
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I tried, I really did. I wanted to make this book last even though I received it just a few days before this review was to post. But it came to the point that I couldn’t stop reading, even if I had tried. So I found myself at 6 am this morning finishing the book and now I can hardly wait for the next one. Why? Because this author can write like nobody’s business and tell a story guaranteed to keep you reading like I did until the wee hours of the morning.
Dark’s characters are all fully realized to the point that you feel you know them by the end of all of her series. With each book, she peels back the many layers of the characters to add more information, until each character feels like an old friend. In this third installment of the Crossbreed series, Raven has settled into her new life with the members of Keystone, the highly secret organization that takes care of Breed problems that the Breed higher ups call on them to take care of. The members live together in a castle type house on the outskirts of Cognito, otherwise known as the place to be if you are Breed. Breed members are all supernatural and humans know little to zero about them. And it’s part of Keystone’s job to keep it that way, case by case. Christian, formerly of Dark’s Mageri series, is Raven’s partner. While Raven is a crossbreed,(something very rare)and is half vampire and half mage, Christian is all vampire. While Raven hates the vampire part of herself, Christian wants her to embrace it. We learn a lot more about Raven’s life before Keystone and it was interesting, to say the least. All of the rest of the characters from Keystone are back and we do learn more about most of them. In particular, we learn Shepherd’s past and what’s still going on in his present. It’s not pretty. He’s the Sensor of the group and is scarred, both in his mind and body.
Each of the books in this series feature a paranormal mystery. This time around, someone in the Breed world is stealing breed babies and auctioning them off to the highest bidder. We are along for the ride as the members of the team start investigating after finding a young mother dead and the baby gone. The case takes them into the bowels of the Breed world, and places that Raven, even though she had been homeless up until recently, hadn’t even realized existed. Pretty fascinating stuff.
Romance? Raven is starting to admit to herself that she has feelings for Christian. And in this installment, we finally see how vulnerable Christian can actually be-something I never thought we would see. But I am all for it. However, members of Keystone are not allowed relationships with each other. I will say that if you like a really slow burn romance, this is a series for you!
Paranormal mystery, slow burn romance, wonderfully realized characters, humor, and plenty of action and violence, made for a sometimes fun, but also a dark and twisted tale. The snarky banter between Raven and Christian was close to being the best part of the book for me, second only to the romantic moments. The hunt for the kidnapper/murderer will keep you turning pages and the twist, I sure didn’t see coming.
Highly recommended to adult Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance readers. Amazing read!
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
This definitely sounds like it would be perfect for fall, when I love mysteries and thrillers the most. Great review Lorna!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Invictus by Ryan Graudin
Any of this authors books would be perfect for any time of the year. She’s my favorite, what else can I say? And Thank you!
I still have not tried anything by her
blodeuedd recently posted…TMST: Fall Picks: 2017
You should give her a try, she has a lot of fans 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
OH NO! Stealing the babies. I think someone’s going to pay for that. I love series where the characters just keep growing on you. One of these days I am going to pick up one of Dannika’s books and read it. 🙂
sherry fundin recently posted…Let’s Take A Magical Trip – A Dragon’s Tale: The Prophecy by Mark Boyd #MarkBoyd
I think you might really like her. I can’t recommend her series enough-especially her Mageri series, although the other two are great as well.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
Your opening statement has me regretting that I haven’t gotten to her books yet though I’ve bought a couple after reading your reviews. 🙂 I love that there’s a new mystery with each book installment.
I do like a good mystery as well. I think you would really like her books Sophia. I would start with the Mageri series as they kinda go in order and there is some cross-over. It also happens to be my favorite, This series is pretty great as well!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
Will do, Lorna!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: Friendly Fire by Cari Z.
SKIMMED!! My audio is on its way and I cannot wait to dive into it. I am so excited to see 5 stars from you..Wahoo!!!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Arm Candy by Jessica Lemmon
Ir’s extremely hard for me to give her anything less than a 5, I just love all her books too much not to. I will be interested to hear what you think of this one. I kinda want to read it again already because I read it so fast for this review. That’s how much I loved it!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
So ready to start this. Have all the audios ready and can’t wait to get to them. I’m so excited that it is 5 star worthy!
Tanya recently posted…Review ~ White Hot by Ilona Andrews @Ilona_Andrews
Pretty much anything she writes is a 5 for me as they are just so good! I hope you love it!
That sounds like an amazing read if you had to keep reading and it kept you up so long! I like it when an author can write the characters so well they almost feel like real people and you really get to know them. That sounds neat it also has a mystery. You have me curious about this series now! Great review!
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #247
I recommend them Lola, they are just so good! And Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
The characterization sounds wonderful in this one, and def know the feeling of wanting to make it last but also not able to stop reading.
The characters are amazing. I do stay up really late every night but 6 am is still pretty late for me to go to bed!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)
Gah! I’m getting even further behind with this author. I really need to get Seven and Crossbreeds started soon.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Lock In by John Scalzi (@mlsimmons, @scalzi, @audible_com)
Did you finish Mageri? Since these all take place in the same world, there is some cross-overs from series to series-not a lot, but still important and cold chills inducing for me at least.. That’s why I would finish Mageri first if you haven’t already.
Oh my! You know you are hooked on an author and her series if you’re reading at 6am!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Five by J.A. Huss ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@jahuss, @XpressoTours)
She’s my favorite author, can you tell? Everything she writes is wonderful!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Deathtrap by Dannika Dark (@Mollykatie112, @DannikaDark)