Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken!
The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken
Series: The Dark Ones Saga #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 20th 2015
To touch a Dark One is death.
To talk to an immortal is suicide.
Yet, I’ve been marked by both.
A Vampire.
And the King of the immortals.
My life is no longer my own.
And now I know the truth, my life was never mine to begin with.
It was theirs.
It’s always been theirs.
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The Dark Ones is a paranormal read from Rachel Van Dyken, and I found myself enjoying it so much! I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this book after reading the blurb, but this ended up being a pretty great read. The Dark Ones is the first book in The Dark Ones Saga, but it can be read as a complete standalone, which I was super thankful for. RVD includes a ton of different paranormal elements, but not too many that it became overwhelming. So if you’re in the mood to read a PNR, you should definitely give this book a try!
Genesis is a human who’s just been chosen by a Dark One, the leader of immortals, half-human and half-angel. She’s called to serve the immortals, believing that her job will be to teach them about modern technology, but when she arrives, she finds out that what she’s been taught all her life about immortals has been wrong.
“To us, you’re not ugly. You are absolute perfection.”
“To a Dark One,” Mason continued, “you’re life itself.”
After being thrust into the paranormal world, and on the run from the Dark One, Cassius, Genesis befriends a group of immortals with whom she finally find a place to belong. There’s Alex, a male siren, his sister Stephanie, also a siren. There’s the werewolf Mason, who’s actually a vegetarian and loves to cook. And then there’s Ethan, the vampire, who bonds with her in order to save her from Cassius.
Ethan is very reluctant to mate with Genesis, after the tragedy that happened with his previous mate. But since this is the only way to save Genesis, and Genesis is the one human who has the potential to save their world, he begins the painful process of bonding with her. What he doesn’t expect is to actually fall for the human.
She gave me her body.
In return, I gave her my soul.
The romance between Ethan and Genesis had a bit of insta-lust, but not until they became mates, so I was actually okay with that. I liked how protective Ethan was over Genesis, even when he was protecting her from himself. The two of them are so sweet together, and I loved that we get both of their POVs. This book is definitely not a long triangle, so for those who are against them, this is the book for you!
Overall, The Dark Ones was a fun read with a lot of potential as a series-starter. I loved the supporting characters – they made this book a lot more light-hearted than I expected. I’m very much looking forward to the sequel, because of who the hero will be. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, sexy, refreshing PNR, I highly recommend The Dark Ones!
Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.
Now here’s an excerpt from The Dark Ones! ❤
I still tasted her blood on my lips, was embarrassed for the first time in a century when Alex glanced up from his spot at the kitchen table to see me licking my lips like I’d just devoured the poor girl.
He shook his head. “Been that long, huh?”
“Alex…” I closed my eyes and prayed for patience. “…remind me why I let you live here?”
“I’m good-looking,” he answered simply. “Besides, I’m a hell of a fighter — scrappy, I think is how you define my kind. You need me.”
“Stop.” I pressed my fingertips to my temples and rubbed. The ache to have her had consumed me so much that I’d run down the stairs moving so fast I’d nearly collided with a wall, and grabbed blood from the fridge.
I didn’t need it.
But I craved it.
And if I didn’t drink the donated blood, I sure as hell was going to drain her and enjoyed very last drop.
“I wonder…” Alex’s voice pierced my thoughts. “What’s it like?” He leaned forward. “Having to learn self-control all over again… being as ancient as you are?”
I ignored him.
He kept talking.
“Blood-free for a century and now…” He grinned and licked his lips. “Kind of like falling off the wagon, yeah?”
“You’re giving me a headache.” I threw the empty bag of blood at his face. He moved to the side and snickered. “And I’m fine. Everything is just—”
Her smell was intoxicating. She was walking down the stairs, so her heart picked up speed, her body giving off a scent of burnt vanilla and oranges with a hint of sugar. My mouth literally watered.
“Fine?” Alex said in a mocking voice. “Was that what you were going to say? Damn, man show a little decorum, you look… starved.”
“I am,” I whispered and fought the urge to rock back and forth. That was the problem with mating — with bonding. Nothing tasted like her, nothing ever would, and typically, having her as my mate gave me full access.
But the more I took…
The stronger the bond.
And the more I wanted…
It was a vicious overwhelming cycle. It would lead me to become emotionally invested while she, as a human, could simply pretend.
It wasn’t fair.
Immortals, in essence, were cursed with a deep desire to be like a human — to possess them, to bond with them forever — while humans only felt the same draw to us if they actually loved us.
Ridiculous.
“Oh, there you are.” Stephanie pushed Genesis forward and pulled out a chair.
Slowly, Genesis took a seat and glared at each one of us. “Where’s Mason?”
It shouldn’t have pissed me off.
But it had.
“He’s none of your concern,” I spat.
“Easy!” Alex chuckled. “Rule number one, don’t ask your mate where the other dude is. Just… don’t.”
Genesis blinked at Alex then back at me. “Because you guys have the capacity for jealousy.”
Alex whistled while Stephanie laughed.
Immortals were the most jealous beings on the planet. Had her school taught her nothing?
Was I to be her tutor as well?
“So…” Alex trained his eyes on her, putting her at as much ease as he could without stopping her poor heart. “Now that the mating is complete, you get to learn all about us and service your man here.” He slapped my back.
Really. Really. Poor choice of words.
Genesis paled.
I rolled my eyes. “He’s kidding.”
Alex laughed. “I think it needs to be said that having a human at the house has already helped my mood immensely.”
“That makes one of you,” Genesis said under her breath.
Alex leaned forward and whispered, “Ethan, try not to be so grouchy. Keep the fangs in and all.”
I extended them just to prove a point.
Genesis recoiled.
I instantly felt guilty.
Damn it.
“You won’t…” I licked my lips. “You won’t have to service me, as Alex so delicately put it.”
“Is that what mates do?” Genesis asked, her eyes searching mine. “They…” She lifted her hands into the air and dropped them.
“If that’s what you think they do, we have a very big problem.” Alex mimicked her movements and winked.
She blushed.
I hissed at him and returned my attention to her. “It’s like a human relationship, only stronger. You’ll attend functions with me, be by my side, at my beck and call for as long as you live.”
I didn’t want to say until one day she just didn’t wake up. It sounded too cruel.
“And when I’m bored out of my mind… I do what?” She crossed her arms. “I mean, what could you possibly need from me?”
“Adorable.” Alex sighed happily. “I’m so glad we kept her.”
“Alex…” I was two seconds away from slamming him into the nearest wall. “Make yourself useful and find our human a snack.”
“I’m not a pet!” Genesis yelled. “And I’m not your human!”
“You are,” I yelled right back, “mine!”
“Kids.” Stephanie stepped between us.
I didn’t even realize I’d gotten out of the chair and was towering over her, fangs out, hands raised. She’d turned me into a monster. And still, my eyes found her erratic pulse. One more taste…
“Ethan—” Stephanie pushed against my chest. I didn’t move. “Ethan!”
“Friend…” Mason walked into the room. “Sit your ass down before she hands it to you.”
“Like she could!” I roared.
“Like I have!” Stephanie pushed me again. “Don’t tempt me… again.”
I sat, while Mason made his way over to Genesis and offered an easy smile. The man had nothing to smile about, yet he was smiling — at my mate.
I growled.
Mason gave me the finger and kept his attention trained on Genesis. “How do you feel?”
“Better.” She returned his smile and squeezed his outstretched hand. “Thanks for not… killing me when I asked.”
“Damn…” Alex said from the kitchen.
“You were in pain.” Mason shrugged. “And I’m glad you’re alright.”
“She’s fine. We’re fine. Everything’s fine,” I said through clenched teeth. “Now it’s probably time to give her answers before she thinks she can run off and actually survive in the real world without being hunted by a Dark One, or worse, found by Cassius.”
“He isn’t all bad,” Stephanie said defensively.
We all glared at her.
“What?” She lifted her hands into the air. “I’m just saying he’s been trying as hard as we have. So what if he’s gotten a bit possessive over the last few numbers that have been called.”
Alex slammed his fist onto the table. “He stole Ethan’s—”
“Enough.” I held up my hand. The pain in my chest grew until it was hard to breathe. I knew what would take that pain away.
Genesis.
But I was too angry to ask for it. Too ashamed to fall to my knees in front of a mere mortal and beg for her to end the pain by allowing me one solitary drop of her blood.
As if on cue, another bag of blood hit me in the head.
Alex must have sensed my mood.
I bit into it and looked away from Genesis’s horrified expression.
Reading Order: The Dark Ones Saga
#1 ~ The Dark Ones: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Untouchable Darkness: Ebook • Goodreads
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers.
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