Narissa Knight AKA Naz has spent a decade sharpening a single purpose: revenge. Finding the responsible vampire has been a challenge and not without loss. What begins as a quest for revenge unravels into something far larger.
Secrets about her lineage surface, and allies appear in unexpected situations. By the time the true scale of the threat becomes clear, she must decide whether to take up to her responsibility or tuck her tail and hide.
If you like quick reads with plot twists and fast-paced action, then you’ll like Ella Stone’s supernatural tale. Warning: Not the typical romantic cliches!
Title: The Dark Creatures Saga
Author: Ella Stone
Genres: Fantasy > Paranormal > Vampires / Werewolves / Witches
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 1,174
Reading Date: 27th March 2026 – 16th April 2026
The reading order – How to Read the Dark Creatures Saga by Ella Stone
- 1 Dark Creatures
- 2 Dark Destiny
- 3 Dark Deception
- 4 Dark Redemption
- 5 Dark Reckoning
Dark Creatures
He took everything from her. Now she’s determined to make him pay…
London. Narissa Knight is obsessed with revenge. For ten years, the twenty-five-year-old has hunted for the vampire that murdered her father. Desperate to put an end to her futile search, she resorts to offering herself up as a meal to the bloodsucker elite.
Garnering the attention of handsome century-old Calin, she attempts to have him unwittingly aid her quest for vengeance. But as the lies and secrets begin piling up, her quarry turns the tables, and Narissa finds herself confronting the most devastating secret of all…
Is the cost of retribution too high even for her?
My thoughts…
Having just finished the prequel collection, I was already familiar with most of the characters, aside from the main protagonist. Narissa did not appear directly but was briefly mentioned by Rey in Call of the Grimoire.
Although I did not get the outcome I had hoped for the characters in the prequels, particularly regarding Rey, I enjoyed getting to know Narissa. I must admit that Rey’s ultimate fate was a little disappointing, but that was simply how the story unfolded, so I went along with it.
Narissa remained wary of vampires, claiming that one had killed her father. If you have read the third prequel, you might have suspected his identity, since it was mentioned that he worked for the Blackwatch and was a friend of Jessop.
There was one detail that did not ring true, namely, how her father met her mum; it felt like a cover story. Personally, I worked out the truth the moment Narissa refused to be scratched by Calin, the vampire we met in the second prequel, Son of Vampire.
Now it is time to read the second book and discover what lies in store for the characters, and whether Calin would survive for long, and how the vampire councils and Narissa’s relatives would react.
Dark Destiny
Having finally discovered her true nature and escaped from the clutches of the Vampire Council, Narissa finds herself immediately thrust into a new and dangerous world.
Her new family is hesitant and suspicious, especially as she has Calin in tow. With revelations about her heritage and the traditions of her people coming at her thick and fast, she increasingly turns to Calin for support.
Unfortunately, things are not all they seem, and as two supernatural worlds threaten to collide, it is hard to know exactly who can be trusted.
Will Narissa’s instinct lead her down the right path? Or will her very presence bring destruction upon them all?
My thoughts…
The second book in the series takes us back to the setting we first encountered in the prequel Man and Wolf. Narissa @ Naz has escaped the holding cell and is on the run from the vampire council with Calin’s help. Still reeling from what she has become, she soon discovers that an even greater surprise awaits her within the pack community.
Naz’s attitude towards Freya is understandable, given everything she has endured. What I struggle to understand is why Calin stays with her. What has she done for him apart from lying? Their first meeting was built on deception, and afterwards, she brought him one problem after another.
Most importantly, I do not feel any real chemistry between them.
Narissa, on the other hand, gains a great deal from her relationship with Calin. He is always there for her, saves her life and supports her through every difficult moment. He is, without question, a catch. Yet they are two different species, and I cannot help wondering how that will affect their future.
So far, this second book presents only minor issues, the most notable being the conflict with Freya. The wider danger has not fully emerged, as the vampire council has yet to act against Narissa or clear her name. Or so you thought, until the final few chapters. It changes everything! Now, even their romance feels uncertain!
I also have a wild imagination and hope that Narissa will be turned into a vampire by the rogue, since Calin can no longer do so. If that happens, what would it mean to blend the two species? Would she become more powerful? Anyway, I’ll be very happy if this becomes true. Who would not want a badass character? 😄
Moral of the story: live your life without regret. Do not wait until you have lost the chance to express your true feelings — just look at Naz and Freya’s situation.😢
Dark Deception
Life in the shadows might just be the death of them.
As Naz and Oliver find themselves on the run in mainland Europe, their friendship is put to the test like never before. With vampires on their tail, they are forced to keep a low profile, but when desperate times call for desperate measures, they find themselves embroiled in an underground fight ring.
Will their illegal pursuits help them out of a tight spot, or will it bring them unwanted attention?
Meanwhile, Calin and the wolf pack are forced to deal with the fallout from Juliette’s betrayal, but where does Calin stand with Polidori, and what is the mysterious ‘uprising’ that is being whispered about in the shadows?
My thoughts…
Book three continues to deliver, raising the stakes while staying firmly engaging. Naz is on the run with Oliver; neither of them can remain in one country for long for fear that the Vampire Council will discover her whereabouts, and they do not stop until they reach Lithuania.
I was thrilled to see the story set in a country I have visited, though I have only been to Vilnius and never to Klaipėda, so I could not picture those specific scenes as clearly as I would have liked. It would have been even better if the action had moved to Latvia, where I currently live!
Anyway, back to the story, with cash running low, they look for work and end up involved in illegal cage fighting. At first, only Oliver takes part, but Naz, who heals faster, suggests she join too; since Oliver has been urging her to train, this solves two problems at once.
Meanwhile, Calin continues to pretend he is searching for Naz, as instructed by the Council, and he remains in contact with Oliver. Both men keep Freya’s situation secret because they believe Naz would be devastated by the truth.
The ending leaves me anxious to see how Naz will react to being kept in the dark, given that she usually acts on impulse and struggles to see the bigger picture. I hope the author does not let that subplot drag on as it did with Freya.
OMG, I freaking love the twist! I knew something was wrong when it ended that way! The reunion is satisfying, though a bit heartbreaking. I hope the ‘witch’ will come to her senses and soon join Team Naz!
As for team Naz to survive and prevail against the Vampire Councils, Blackwatch and the werewolf pack, they will need a strong and united team. I expect we will see that team come together in the final book, and I cannot wait for the showdown.
Dark Redemption
A witch, a vampire and a werewolf walk into a dungeon…
Desperate to help Rey, and with the introduction of friends new and old, Naz is forced to make some tough decisions about who she can depend on.
As events unfold and leave her with no choice but to embark on a suicidal mission deep into the very heart of the enemy, Naz knows the wrong decision might just get her, and everyone else, killed.
My thoughts…
Book four is definitely intense. The last few chapters, especially the infiltration of the Vampire Council vault, are exciting. I am also pleased to hear from Rhett again, the character we met in the prequel novella, along with a small glimpse into Eve’s life after her escape.
This also brings me back to the question of how one bloodline differs from another. For example, Freya’s bloodline appears to be Alpha material, yet as far as I understand, they are all related to Eve, which would mean they share the same bloodline. 🤔
The reason this book does not receive five stars from me, despite its interesting storyline, is that I do not find Naz particularly likeable. She is very emotional, and I do not feel she demonstrates strong leadership qualities.
It seems she is considered suitable for the Alpha role simply because she comes from Freya’s bloodline. There is no doubt she is stronger than the others, but as I mentioned earlier, I am still puzzled by why some werewolves are weaker than others when they all originate from the same bloodlines.
Anyway, I cannot wait for Rey to recover and become a powerful witch for the showdown in the next book. In the meantime, I am very curious about who Naz will end up with and what fate awaits Calin and Rhett. I hope they are not suffering too much!
Dark Reckoning
With Polidori’s sinister plot finally revealed, Naz is left with no choice but to go head-to-head with the Vampire Council. But with only a rag-tag band of witches and wolves at her side, does she really stand a chance?
As we race towards the nail-biting conclusion to this series, it is clear that victory won’t come without cost. Just how much will Naz be willing to sacrifice?
Whatever happens, you can be certain it will be an action-packed and emotional rollercoaster as a secret war for the future of humanity plays out amongst the dark creatures of the world.
My thoughts…
Book five continues with even more heartbreak, battles and a showcase of remarkable courage. After having no choice but to leave Calin and Rhett at the mercy of the Vampire Council, Naz is hopeful that she can at least save Rey.
Although Naz refuses to give up hope on rescuing Calin and Rhett, with loss close to her heart and so few resources, how can she possibly fight an organisation that has been planning world domination for so long?
What I love about this series is the way Ella Stone makes the story feel almost realistic, taking us across Europe and giving us a series of events that are not always perfectly executed, with a main character who has genuine flaws. Not forgetting the unexpected twists and turns! 😉
So, you think you know how it ends? Think again. Prepare for another loss, one I honestly did not see coming. As for the romance, it certainly does not follow the usual clichés, and anyone who is a sucker for HEA may be disappointed. (Me included 😅)
Perhaps this is not the end of Naz’s journey, but who can say? Ella Stone’s note mentions that Narissa will return in a brand‑new adventure the following year, so a new series was expected.
However, it has been four years since publication, and I have no idea whether a sequel is still planned. I have not found any other connected series besides the prequel, so if anyone knows of any, please let me know.
