The Recommended Reading Order for Dark Angels
Keri Arthur’s Dark Angels series is a high-octane urban fantasy saga that follows a single, continuous narrative arc. Because the series features a persistent plot involving world-ending stakes, character relationships that evolve, and a mystery surrounding supernatural keys to hell, the books should be read in their strict publication order. The chronological timeline of the story matches the publication order exactly, making the reading path straightforward.
- Darkness Unbound (2011)
- Darkness Rising (2011)
- Darkness Devours (2012)
- Darkness Hunts (2012)
- Darkness Unmasked (2013)
- Darkness Splintered (2013)
- Darkness Falls (2014)
The Riley Jenson Connection: Do You Need to Read it First?
The Dark Angels series is a direct spin-off of Keri Arthur’s hit 9-book series, the Riley Jenson Guardian series. The events of Dark Angels take place approximately 25 years after the conclusion of Riley’s story, set in the same alternate, futuristic version of Melbourne, Australia. Risa Jones, the protagonist of Dark Angels, is the daughter of Dia Jones, a psychic werewolf and Riley Jenson's best friend. Risa’s father is Hieu, an Aedh priest, making her a rare half-werewolf, half-Aedh hybrid.
While you do not need to read the Riley Jenson Guardian series to understand the main plot of Dark Angels, doing so is highly recommended for readers who want the complete experience. Reading the parent series first introduces you to the rules of this supernatural world, the politics of the Directorate and the Vampire Council, and the backstory of Risa’s mother, Dia. Furthermore, several major characters from the original series, including Riley Jenson herself, make guest appearances and cameos in Risa's books, which are much more rewarding if you are already familiar with them.
What to Know Before You Start
Before stepping into the shadows of Keri Arthur's Melbourne, here are a few key elements that define the series' universe and tone:
- The Gray Fields: Thanks to her Aedh heritage, Risa possesses the unique ability to step into the "gray fields"—the ethereal plane between the living world and the afterlife. This allows her to interact with the spirits of the dead and see Reapers, the grim guardians of souls.
- The Aedh: The Aedh are a powerful, celestial race capable of transforming into energy form. They are often viewed with suspicion and awe by other supernaturals. Risa's father is an Aedh priest, and her mixed heritage makes her a target for those who want to harness her unique genetic potential.
- Mature Themes: Like the Riley Jenson books, the Dark Angels series features high-stakes action blended with explicit, steamy romance. It contains graphic violence, dark themes, and strong sexual content, making it best suited for mature readers.
- The Directorate and Vampire Council: The world is governed by strict supernatural authorities. The Directorate handles law enforcement for non-humans, while the powerful Vampire Council, led by the formidable Madeline Hunter, rules the vampire population with an iron fist. Risa is frequently caught in the political crossfire between these two factions.
Chronological Breakdown of the Books
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here is a detailed look at the progression of Risa Jones’s journey through all seven books:
1. Darkness Unbound (2011)
The series begins with Risa trying to live a quiet life managing a local club in Melbourne, determined to avoid the dangerous supernatural politics that defined her mother’s past. However, her plans are shattered when she notices Reapers gathering around people who are still alive. Investigating further, she discovers a sinister plot where souls are being stolen before they can pass over. Risa is forced to team up with Azriel, a lethal and handsome Reaper, to stop an ancient evil from tearing open the gates of hell.
2. Darkness Rising (2011)
Still reeling from personal tragedy, Risa is determined to find the person responsible for her mother Dia’s death. Her quest for vengeance leads her to form a dangerous alliance with Madeline Hunter, the leader of the Vampire Council. In exchange for information, Risa must investigate a mysterious curse that is causing elder vampires to age rapidly and turn to dust. As she digs deeper, Risa finds herself pursued by her Aedh father, Hieu, who wants to force her to fulfill her destiny in his own schemes.
3. Darkness Devours (2012)
The stakes escalate as Risa hunts a dangerous cabal attempting to obtain a magical artifact that can manipulate time, reality, and human destiny. At the same time, the Vampire Council continues to pressure Risa, demanding her loyalty and utilizing her rare ability to walk the gray fields. Risa must solve the gruesome murders of addicted vampires while balancing her increasingly complex feelings for her Reaper protector, Azriel.
4. Darkness Hunts (2012)
Risa becomes the target of a psychotic serial killer who is targeting supernatural women, draining their blood, and leaving cryptic clues behind. The killer asserts that his victims are "infected by darkness" and that Risa is next on his list. With Azriel by her side, Risa races against time to track down the murderer, only to realize that these killings are part of a much larger, darker conspiracy designed to retrieve the keys to hell.
5. Darkness Unmasked (2013)
The barrier between Earth and hell is beginning to fracture after a key to the portal is uncovered. As dark energies seep into Melbourne, Risa feels a deep sense of responsibility to find the remaining keys before they fall into the hands of those who would unleash an apocalypse. Her search is complicated when Madeline Hunter forces her to investigate a series of bizarre murders where the victims are left completely dehydrated and hollowed out.
6. Darkness Splintered (2013)
Having lost the second key to hell, Risa is under intense pressure. Her Aedh father issues an ultimatum: retrieve the key or watch her closest friends die. Meanwhile, the Vampire Council begins to view Risa's growing power as a threat. To survive and protect her loved ones, Risa agrees to a dangerous bargain to help a faction of the council overthrow Madeline Hunter, all while the race for the remaining keys reaches a fever pitch.
7. Darkness Falls (2014)
In the epic conclusion of the series, Risa faces her final, most desperate battle. The gates of hell are close to opening, and Madeline Hunter will stop at nothing to secure absolute power. With her loved ones held hostage as leverage, Risa must gather all her strength, her Aedh magic, and her alliance with Azriel to seal the portal forever. It is a thrilling, emotional finale that wraps up Risa's character arc and determines the fate of the supernatural world.
Final Reading Advice and Standalone Status
Can the Dark Angels books be read as standalones? Absolutely not. Because the hunt for the keys to the gates of hell spans all seven books, reading them out of order will result in major spoilers and confusion. The character development, particularly the romantic tension and eventual bond between Risa and Azriel, is a slow burn that requires reading the series from start to finish. If you want a complete, immersive experience in Keri Arthur's urban fantasy universe, start with the Riley Jenson Guardian series, and then dive directly into Darkness Unbound.