Review: Consumed (Dark Protectors #4) by Rebecca Zanetti

TLDR Recap:

Jordan Pride, leader of the feline shifter nation for over three hundred years, is infected with the Kuryan virus and in less than a month, he’ll become the beast his people hunt… a mindless, feral werewolf. Katie has been infected with the virus for more than a decade, unable to shift and losing more of her shifter strength every day. She and Jordan have been fighting an attraction to each other for longer than they care to admit, but time is running out and far more is at stake than their love for each other. Consumed is a GraveTells must-read!

• Title: Consumed
• Series: Dark Protectors book #4
• Author: Rebecca Zanetti
• Prominent Characters: Jordan, Katie
• Recommended Reader Age: 16+
• Genre(s): paranormal romance
• Sexual Content Level: moderate

*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***

Thoughts:

Consumed takes place ten years after the final events of Hunted, which, personally, I think was a savvy move on Ms. Zanetti’s part. One, it keeps the series fresh by allowing younger characters to evolve, and two, it adds gravity and a thread of desperation to the circumstances our heroes are suffering.

We’ve gotten to know both Katie and Jordan over the past few books, and here is a couple you really feel for. These two have been pining over each other for decades, and now time is nearly up. Jordan’s intensity and ferocity battles his tender, vulnerable feelings for Kate. She knows he might not have much time left, and she’s not afraid to put her pride on the line to make him see her as a woman.

Through flashbacks, we get to see rare, unguarded moments between Jordan and Connlan Kayrs, when they were still relatively young innocents and had yet to take a life… a stark contrast to the lethal, ruthless leaders they would both eventually become. If you thought Connlan was intense when he claimed Moira in Hunted, wait ’til you see Jordan in action. “Consume” is just what he does when he finally gives in to Kate’s mating manipulations. For a man who is normally so level-headed and in control, albeit sometimes ruthlessly, Jordan is all alpha, dominant and aggressive, when he marks her. This scene explodes off the page and is so intense I ended up reading it several times.

Memorable Quotes

Says the guy who turns into a lion…

“So, this lone wolf bullshit has gone on long enough. You deserve to lead and you’re an excellent leader. Nobody says you have to do it all alone.”
“Did you just call me a wolf?” Jordan forced a smile. What was it with happy vampires? They instantly wanted everyone else to be happy, too. Then if you didn’t go along, they tried to beat you up. Vampires were an odd species.

*sigh* Pushy men!

Irritation cut lines to the sides of his mouth. “Let’s discuss my leadership issues another day. I don’t suppose you’ve packed?”
“No.”
“We can do this my way, Katie … or my way.”

Somebody’s not a glass-is-half-full kinda guy…

“You did the right thing. And now, you’re doing your job by chasing monsters.”
“When you chase monsters, you’re really chasing yourself.”

I’m with Katie…

“Date any shifters? Or just humans?”
The conversation made her twitchy. “Both.”
“Get serious with anybody?”
“Does it matter?”
He sighed. “Yes. I don’t want your dating life to matter to me, but it does.”
She blew out a breath. “Is it just me, or was that a, ‘Gee, your ass doesn’t look as big as usual in those jeans,’ kind of compliment?”

Quintessential Jordan…

“Jordan. Kiss me back. Just one more time.” They had a few minutes until the plane touched down. A few more minutes to pretend.
Denial was blinked away in his eyes. Frustration and a glimmer of anger replaced it. Finally, want. Maybe even need.
His mouth slanted over hers. Taking, giving, his lips firm and demanding.
She’d been kissed before. Jordan didn’t kiss. He consumed. Sliding into arousal wasn’t an option. Her body shot from slow burn to inferno in a heartbeat.

Flashback fun: sooo, how did that work out for you, Conn?

Conn paled. “If you align with the Kurjans, that makes us …”
“Enemies.” Jordan met his friend’s gaze squarely. “Not only that, both our forces will be depleted and we’re at war. Nobody knows if the demons will jump in and if so, which side they’ll take.”
“Not to mention the damn witches.” Conn exhaled, the sound full of anguish. “I’ve never understood those crazy magic users and hope to God I never have to deal with a witch.

Ah, both are kinda ‘eww’ guys…

“I’ve been craving raw meat like you wouldn’t believe.”
Conn lifted a bloody eyebrow. “Ewww.”
“You drink blood, asshole.” Damn vampires didn’t know how gross that really was.

Mreow!

Hotter than any sun, his mouth brushed her ear, and one fang nipped her earlobe. Her mind spun. The quartz wall swam before her eyes. With a soft whimper, she gyrated against his hand.
“Ah, kitten. That’s the sweetest sound.” His breath panted out at her ear, hot and out of control. “Let’s hear it again.” He tweaked her nipple.
The next sound was more of a cry than a whimper. “Jordan.”

If you liked…

If you enjoyed Consumed but haven’t yet read the rest of the Dark Protector series, pick up Fated and start this dynamic saga from the beginning. Don’t skip Hunted; if you love alpha men with lethal fighting skills and intense focus, Connlan Kayrs is your vamp! And if you like ’em genius-smart, head-strong, and completely in-charge in the bedroom, Kane Kayrs may just be your Kryptonite.

If you have been living under a rock and somehow haven’t managed to become addicted to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, go buy/borrow Dark Lover and experience one of paranormal romance’s most addicting and shocking series. Like Ms. Zanetti’s Dark Protectors series, the BDB manages multiple plotlines seamlessly while growing, adapting, and shaping character arcs to keep the books fresh and intense.

Final Thoughts:

Weaving a tapestry of love, friendship, brotherhood, camaraderie, action, suspense, and passion (I could go on, but I think you get the picture), Ms. Zanetti takes us on yet another thrilling journey in a series already so addicting it should come with a warning. “Read at own risk. May result in extreme distraction, the fervent wish to have your very own pushy alpha male, and the need to keep reading well past bedtime.” Consumed is a GraveTells “must read”!

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Rating: Consumed