Caffeinated Reviewer | The Forsaken by Dannika Dark
7th Jul
Dannika Dark is an autobuy for me, and I’ve been loving her Black Arrowhead series. The Forsaken, narrated by Nicole Poole, is the ninth audiobook, and it’s time for Virgil’s romance with a side story I wasn’t expecting that delivered a punch.
The Forsaken
by Dannika Dark
Series: Black Arrowhead #9
Narrator: Nicole Poole
Length: 11 hours and 36 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
Two friends on a collision course with destiny find the courage to look forward instead of back.
After years of rejection, Virgil finally has the pack he’s always wanted. But when a tenacious ghost latches onto him, dreams of a peaceful life begin slipping through his fingers. Desperate to escape, he joins a road trip with Krys: his packmate, his best friend, his quiet obsession.
Krys is a headstrong wolf who never shows affection, but cracks form in his steely facade when he must bid farewell to a packmate. During this turbulent time, his bond with Virgil strengthens and he’s forced to confront a secret he’s long kept hidden. His heart is buried in the debris of his past, and only Virgil can dig him out.
Two Shifters discover the bond was always there, but can their love survive their innermost fears?
Close proximity brings two friends even closer in this ferociously entertaining romance between the packmates least likely to settle down. An emotional awakening about the importance of choosing love and leaving the past behind.
While each of the novels in the Black Arrowhead series features a romance, there are overall series arcs, the one most dominate in The Forsaken is Cleo’s arc. I strongly recommend listening to them in the order of their release.
Virgil is a shifter, but he can also see and interact with spirits. Because of this, many traditional packs have rejected him. Virgil is charismatic, a tease, a charmer and outspoken with his sexuality, but also holds himself off a little because he fears rejection. The Arrowhead pack is unconventional and comprises chosen members. Krys, is a guarded wolf shifter who is grateful for the pack, but keeps his wolf away as he is volatile. He and Virgil are close friends, but Virgil’s feelings run deeper. When the two travel cross-country, the intense situation, and a little help from a spirit spark the flames between them. For those, like me, who have listened to all the books, their destination is familiar.
Holy hotness and intense storylines! I went into this blind, as I typically do, and was surprised to find an M/M romance… which Dark handled wonderfully. In retrospect, there were plenty of clues! I loved getting both Virgil’s and Krys’s backstories. Dark really peeled back the layers, allowing us to see the pain both men had experienced. All of which made me want a happily ever after for both of them.
Cleo’s arc continued in this novel and was woven masterfully into their story. Road trip anyone? The trip included Darcy, a ghost that followed Virgil home from a bar. I adored her and the trip was filled with laughter, wolf shenanigans and more until it turned dark. From the moment Krys’s phone rang, I could not stop listening. Intense scenes, battles, and horrors await you.
The romance felt genuine, and I loved seeing them open up and trust each other. The story didn’t feel rushed, and Dark allowed all the threads the time they deserved. We got to spend some time with the pack as well, and I finished with a smile.
Nicole Poole narrates and, as always, did a stellar job giving voice to these characters. She really captures Virgil’s unabashed self. I am curious to see how many more Black Arrowhead books we will get.
About Dannika Dark
Dannika was born on a military base in the U.S. and spent her youth traveling abroad. She developed an interest writing poetry and song lyrics early on, eventually gravitating toward a job that involved writing procedural training documentation. In her spare time, she wrote novels before she decided to pursue a career in publishing. In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing, she enjoys indie music, movies, reading, Tex-Mex, strawberry daiquiris, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side. All of her published books to date are written in the same universe and contain material suitable for adults only. Dannika’s books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide.
About Nicole Poole
Nicole Poole is a classically trained actor with equal passions for literature and improvisation. She has toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company, has been a member of the critically acclaimed Walter Thompson Orchestra for over fifteen years, and recently became a member of the Parisian groups SPOUMJ and Anitya. She is honored to have been recognized for her narration by an AudioFile Earphones Award, a Publisher’s Weekly Listen-Up Award, and nomination for an Audie Award.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
