Review: Moon Sworn (Riley Jensen, Guardian Book #9)

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Author: Keri Arthur
Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5
Series: Riley Jensen, Guardian
Blurb:
Shape-shifting werewolf and vampire Riley Jenson is through with death—causing it, solving it, surviving it. Her soul mate, Kye Murphy, is dead—and at Riley’s own hands. Not even the seductive embrace of her vampire lover, Quinn, can fully ease her mind, for she has begun questioning everything that makes her Riley—including her job at the Directorate.

Now, the ritualistically slain bodies of ex-cons have started turning up. Reluctantly, Riley takes the case, but something even worse is waiting in the wings. A vicious enemy from her past is determined to strip Riley of everything that gives her life any meaning: her lover, her brother—and even her own identity. Can Riley survive this ultimate assault? All she knows is, she must fight one last time to find answers, before everything goes dark forever.


Moon Sworn is the 9th and final book in the Riley Jensen series. And boy do I loooove Ms. Arthur's world! She's created one of the most addicting series I've ever read and Moon Sworn is the perfect ending to such a dynamic series. I was most impressed with the characters growth. Ms. Arthur gave them room to evolve without compromising who they've been in the past 9 books. In her heart, Riley is still Riley, straight out of Full Rising, only with more internal and external scars, that even shifting can't heal.

I did have one main issue with this book, that being the removal of Quinn, Rhoan, and Lisander from the bulk of it. I understand the necessity of them taking a back seat to Riley's journey - I mean, it is ultimately her series...however, we have grown to love and build relationships with these characters and being that this was the finale, I just wanted to immerse myself in each and every one of them. Even if Ms. Arthur was able to just add more Quinn to Riley's journey, it would've been a 5 star for me.

**Please only continue reading if you don't mind series SPOILERS**
In the beginning of Moon Sworn, Riley is reeling after killing her psycho soulmate, Kye, in response to him murdering her close friend Kade. After the loss of both of these people, she is trying to find herself again - her self assurance, a way to heal her broken soul, and how to move forward with Quinn. Riley has yet to give all of herself to Quinn and she is debating whether or not she still wants to be a Guardian.

While this internal debate continues, Riley begins working at the Directorate again, needing to have something to distract her from her emotions and obsessing with her loss. She gets involved in a case where released criminals are getting brutally murdered. During this investigation, revenge is taken on Riley in the most unexpected way - and we may just lose the character we have all come to love. Please join Riley on her journey as she tries find what was lost and faces her darkest demons.

That's all I can really say without ruining this book for you - but man, PLEASE read this series - so you can get to Moon Sworn and reflect on the epic wonderousness that is Keri Arthur's Riley Jensen series.