Dark Within by Candice Gilmer Review

Title: Dark WIthin

Author: Candice Gilmer

Series: Mythical Knights 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Book Blurb:

The Mythical Knights, Book 1

There was a time Marissa van Dyke loved Halloween. Then tragedy struck. Now the sight of a jack-o-lantern only reminds her of what she's lost. In fact, she'd prefer to just hibernate.

But recently her nightmares are becoming too intense to ignore. Dreams filled with horror-movie creatures that come closer to killing her every time. Where these vampires and werewolves are coming from, she doesn't know. She only knows they're relentless.

Neil Drigan has no interest in finding a mate. Bind himself to one woman? No thank you. Permanent is for the wolf pack Alpha--his brother. Yet lately he persistently dreams about running, in full wolf form, to save a beautiful woman who smells of flowers--and death.

At first the woman's identity is a mystery, until he realizes the dreams are a residual imprint of something that really happened. Not only is the woman temptation wrapped in real flesh and blood, she's still in danger. And the one thing he never thought he wanted.


Originally released as "Unholy Night" 2008-2012. Since expanded and fully revamped. (No pun intended, lol. Okay, maybe a little one) 


Warning: Werewolves, vampires, Templar Knights with attitudes, and a girl who must face her biggest fear in order to find love.

My Review: 

Dark Within is Book One is the Mythical Knights Series, but a continuation about the Drigan Brothers from The Brightest Shadow (book # 0.5). Neil is the focus in this story and as a playboy he doesn’t have any interest in finding a mate and settling down. That is, until he dreams of saving a woman that smells of flowers and death. He insists on finding this woman and discovers it is Marissa – a friend of his brother’s mate. 

Marissa has been plagued with sadness. Halloween used to be her favorite holiday, but then her parents were killed one Halloween and now it is a terrible time of year full of sadness. She has been having horrible nightmares and is covered in unexplainable bruises. But, Neil is the one thing that makes her smile – even though she can’t figure him out most of the time. 

I absolutely love this series and the Drigan brothers. They are so strong, and sexy, and protective of those they care about. Neil tries so hard to do the right thing and be the good guy, something ingrained in his family. This trait just makes me love these guys that much more…swoon…and Neil, especially. He can’t tell Marissa what he is, but he has a duty to protect her from her attackers. What woman wouldn’t want a guy that feels that way? Marissa is too hurt and traumatized to realize how good Neil is for her, so she pushes him away. 
I was excited to see David and Kelsey in this book, again. I love how protective David is of his mate’s friend. Kelsey and Marissa are as close as sisters, so the bond between all of them melts my heart. The way the pair tried to coax Neil and Kelsey together was entertaining on it’s own. 

I really, really, enjoy this series and this book. I can’t wait for more of the Drigan clan from the author. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.