






Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Published by Indie/Self Published
Released on August 14, 2018
Length: 11 hours, 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Review
Blackout is Dannika Dark’s latest in her Crossbreed series about a paranormal group that does work for an organization called Keystone that work for the Breed higher authority. They are tasked with anything regulators, otherwise known as Breed police, either can’t or won’t do when supernatural beings cause major problems or messes. They live in the city of Cognito, the place that attracts supes like bees are attracted to honey. Humans know nothing about the Breed world for the most part.
This time Dark takes heroine, Raven(hybrid vampire/mage) and her partner(vampire) and hero, Christian on the hunt for whoever is murdering members of the Breed higher authority. The author introduces the case in a surprising way, thereby pulling me into the book immediately as is Dark’s usual. It’s also not long before other members of Keystone enter the story. I am so loving all the characters that have been fleshed out more and more with each book. This time around we learn a lot more about Gem, a rollerskating(adult) Mage, Nico an ancient, blind mage that can see energy, and even more about Shepherd, a sensor, and his secret son. Of course, all my other favorites(and they are all favorites) are there as well.
As if the murders aren’t bad enough, a blackout happens during a romantic Valentine’s tryst between Raven and Christian, leaving them stuck far away from their home and without a vehicle or phone. The chemistry between Raven and Christian is still there in a major way, however after Raven’s mind was wiped previously, she can’t remember falling for Christian in the first place. That doesn’t stop them from having a smoldering hot time during their date. The blackout ruins the rest of the date to say the least. Imagine navigating a city about the size of New York City in the dark. During looting, burning and all manner of people and/or Breed being delinquents, murder and mayhem ensues. And that’s all I am telling about the actual events.
My favorite thing about this series is the relationship between Raven and Christian. Both of them have snark for days and the banter is so much fun between them. As is their major chemistry together! I also love the relationships that have been formed between all the members of the organization. They all live in a castle type structure on the outskirts of Cognito and since some of the group are immortals or long lived, this fits with some of their early lives. They are also forbidden to form romantic relationships, leaving Raven and Christian to sneak around. I am really hoping for another relationship to form and we might? have started one in this book. If not, let’s just say I am hoping for one.
Dark’s Breed world continues to amaze me with each book. She has featured it in all of her three series now and I hope that continues. One thing though. She has never written a cliffhanger in all her books so this one came out of left field for me. It was done in the epilogue and is setting up the next book so that made it a bit better. But still-I’m not a fan of them. I wasn’t as happy with the ending of this book as I usually am either, and it wasn’t just the cliffhanger. Have to be honest here. That being said, it was still very well written, with fantastic characters and I loved it-as usual.
Narration? Nicole Poole is the queen of accents and breathing life into both male and female voices while making each one have their own distinctive tone and personality. I’ve really not found many female narrators that compare and I listen to a lot of different narrators. Of course, I have other favorite female narrators, it’s just that I have a special place in my heart for Poole. To me she’s just a winner anytime she narrates a Dark book. 5 Stars!
I’m literally chomping at the bit for the next book in this series and I highly recommend this and all of Dark’s series to adult paranormal/urban fantasy readers that like romance as well.