Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Destiny
SERIES: Dark Earls #2
AUTHOR: Rebecca Cohen
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 343 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 19, 2024
BLURB:
Robin Flint is about to face his destiny with Prince Simon, whether he likes it or not.
Time is up on the waiting period of the contract for their arranged marriage, and Robin must play his part to help Prince Simon, royal fae and future Dark Earl of MacLove, achieve his destiny of becoming a vampire-fae.
Gay paranormal romance novel.
Warning: Violence, torture, drug use
REVIEW:
Upon Prince Simon’s birth, his parents make him part of a future arranged marriage between houses and realms. When Simon meets Robin for the second time, the venture is fueled by youthful curiosity and a slight adjustment of details in a place known for casual hookups, where Robin is the master of casual. Vampire Robin is enraptured by a brief encounter that spoils him until he is supposed to marry the man he hasn’t seen since holding him in his arms as a baby. But subterfuge is the least of their destined complications.
Oh, my word – I have always been a fan of Rebecca Cohen’s work, but damn – this is one of the best, if not the best story from the Earls/Lords collections that I’ve read. Most believe that vampires are dangerous – but in this tale, nothing beats a pissed-off Fae. Oh, and I love the cover – it is amazingly atmospheric.
Politics between clans is complicated, but politics between realms is even worse. Add in an extra species or two, and – wow. In this Dark Earls series, Ashley and Ben were the featured couple in book one – Subterfuge. In book two, Robin and Simon are the main protagonists. Crossover characters show Sebastian’s super return and a few other familiar favorites. So, prior reading, if for no other reason than the sheer delight of exceptional characters, is a must.
I love Simon’s honesty – it is brutal yet sounds so innocent, and that’s just after he has shown his possessive side. Robin is the experienced one, but Simon has his number. One is a foil for the other, and toes are well and truly kept on tippees. Their dynamic is off the charts, delightfully enhanced by the extended cast, whose actions and dialogue added something extra to every page. Worldbuilding, too, provided everything from Royal castles, with beautiful people and protective guards, to sewer potatoes and creepy bods—also places where I expected an ‘heeere’s Johnny’ and Nurse Rachet.
The story begins light, airy, and amicable – but don’t be fooled. The blurb hints that something nasty is on the horizon, (Dark Lords is also a giveaway) so in the early chapters, there were times when I was hesitant to read on in anticipation of the story route. There are many scenarios where events could go pear-shaped. These kept me covering my face, peeking through my fingers. Then I reached the point of no return, and I had to keep reading till the end – and what an end.
RATING: 
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