Warrior's Hope

4.5stars-intriguing, captivating, enthralling

4.5stars—WARRIOR’S HOPE is the sixteenth full length instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DARK PROTECTORS erotic, paranormal/fantasy series. This is Paxton Phoenix, Drake, and Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood’s story line. WARRIOR’S HOPE should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading the series in order, or at the very least, this particular arc of the series focusing on the group of Seven beginning with book eight VAMPIRE’S FAITH, as there is an on-going premise throughout. Hope, Phoenix and Drake’s story has been building throughout the series

SOME BACKGROUND: A thousand years earlier, a number of immortal warriors went through a ritual that, if they survived, hardened their bodies against attack, a ritual meant to create a group of Seven known as The Shield. The Shield was created to protect the world from an evil race of vampires known as the Kurjans, their sect group known as the Cysts, and ultimately a rogue warrior once considered a friend- Ulric-a male of immense power. To protect the human race, Ulric was captured, and along with two of the Seven, was encapsulated in one of three spheres for all eternity but the spheres are no longer capable of holding the ‘Seven’, and the warriors have returned to Earth. As the warriors search for the ‘Keys’ to perform the ritual, the ‘Lock’ must be protected in order to take down the evil that is hoping to take over the world.

Told from a number of third person perspectives including Hope, Paxton and Drake, following several intersecting paths WARRIOR’S HOPE focuses on the impending war between the Realm of the supernatural and the Kurjan empire. Someone is determined to take control of the Kurjan empire but he must first set Ulric free. Ulric needs to destroy the Seven to gain his independence in an effort to dismantle and obliterate the Realm but Ulric’s only ally has other plans including claiming Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood as his mate. As the Realm prepares for war, Hope must come to terms with her destiny while Paxton discovers his entire life and history has been predicated upon a lie.

As per my last review, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood is torn between friendship and love, duty and family as it pertains to her relationship with Paxton Phoenix, and the Kurjan warrior Drake, both young men who have now come into their prime and burgeoning powers. Drake, Paxton and Hope have been dream-walking together for years but betrayal will come at the cost of their friendships, a friendship predicated upon secrets and lies, and the hunt for power. Drake’s connection to the Kurjan and Cysts may be what takes down the Seven, a connection tightly woven with a young female who is purported to be the ‘hope’ of the immortal world.

Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood is desperate to uncover the truth. The direction she must take in an effort to destroy Ulric means there will be a sacrifice: the blood of the Keys, along with the Lock, are prophesized to work together, to merge their powers, to stop Ulric from taking control but someone else has set eyes on the top, and will use any means necessary including destroying family and friends, and the woman he once claimed to love.

WARRIOR’S HOPE is the final chapter in this particular arc of the series focusing on the Seven, Ulric, and Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood but Warrior’s Hope mainly concentrates on the breakdown of friendships, and the lies that will destroy Hope, Paxton and Drake. The secondary and supporting characters are numerous and familiar including the Seven, the Kings and leaders of the supernatural divisions of the Realm, as well as Hope’s parents, Paxton’s father, and Ulric.

Rebecca Zanetti pulls the reader into an action packed story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, deception and double-cross, trust, acceptance, and love. The premise is intriguing, captivating and enthralling; the romance is fated and passionate; the characters are desperate, powerful, determined and dynamic.