Ancient Protector  By  cover art
Ancient Protector
By: Katie Reus
    4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 02-18-21

 4 stars 
Loved the narrator and really loved Star and Lachlan. Loved the friendships. I could have rated it 5 stars but I had to stop listening at one point because of the info below.

There was one element that showed up between 2 males that was disgusting and didn't belong. It added nothing to the story and was just gross. I read MF only. I don't have interest in any other genre. To each their own but this wasn't even in a romantic setting it was gross

I read this book a while ago, but I can still recall many things about it which might not mean a lot to you, but for me, it’s huge because it indicates that it was a very good book and that I loved it. Star and Lanchlan’s story was very interesting and the twist was great, The world our characters live in is familiar to KR’s readers, but if you are new to her, there won’t be a problem with understanding what is going on. Many new supernatural species were introduced and it was so fun and exciting. KR once again managed to write an engaging book that hooked me from the very first page. It was intriguing and a roller-coaster of emotions. I am looking forward to Aurora’s book and I want to see her healing.

As you have guessed from everything above, I found the book great and I would recommend it.

I can never, ever be disappointed with any of Katie Reus's books....absolutely none! Get drawn into a world of paranormal, as a new world starts rebuilding, with the help of the ancients, always protecting the innocent with their dragon strength and power. Go on a journey of love and hope with Star and her dragon shifter Lachlan, and a bunch of quirky friends giving this story warmth, love and friendship

I'm already looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended!!

I really enjoyed this story! 
Ancient Protector is a new series filled to the brim with otherworldly creatures and a few surprises! There is a lot of action, dialogue, sexy times and laugh out loud moments that I look for in a Katie Reus novel and I was not disappointed. I love stories with strong heroines and stubborn heroes and we definitely have enough of those here! I'm looking forward to the next book!

This was my first Katie Reus book, and I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't get enough of this story!

Lachlan the dragon shapeshifter is drawn to Star (we don't know what she is) for reasons he's can't explain, but the pull is so strong that neither of them can deny it. 

Its a fated mates storyline with some just the right amount of drama and conflict thrown in. It was super fun trying to guess what Start might be, and it was worth the wait. 

I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Netgalley and the Publisher.

A new series...a new paranormal...an awesome imagination of a world that can exist!!! 

I can never, ever be disappointed with any of Katie Reus's books....absolutely none! Get drawn into a world of paranormal, as a new world starts rebuilding, with the help of the ancients, always protecting the innocent with their dragon strength and power. Go on a journey of love and hope with Star and her dragon shifter Lachlan, and a bunch of quirky friends giving this story warmth, love and friendship

Ancient Protector starts off a new series Ancients Rising from Katie Reus.

Katie Reus has gotten me back into reading shifter romances in a big way—particularly dragon shifters. And I couldn’t be happier. Ancient Protector is the first book in her new Ancients Rising series, which looks promising. I loved the action, suspense, romance, worldbuilding, and how the importance of family comes through so clearly in the story. Like Reus’ other books, the novel is full of secrets, twists, turns, and surprises that will keep readers glued to the pages in suspense dying to find answers, including what kind of supernatural Star and Aurora are, why Star and Lachlan share a strange connection and sense of familiarity, and why Oscar is so determined to possess Aurora? 

Ancient Protector starts out low key enough with our heroine Starling (Star), a world renown singer/rock star preparing for a concert and celebrity auction at a powerful Alpha dragon’s estate. But it was more than just another performance for Star and her band. It was the fruition of a years in the making plan to rescue her sister Aurora, who has been kidnapped by Oscar and has been held prisoner at his estate for a year. Lachlan is an alpha dragon recently awakened from hibernation and drawn to Star first by her beautiful voice, which calms his dragon and brings him peace, and only more intensely as he learns all he can about her. For reasons he can’t explain, he seeks her out at the auction and bids on her. When Aurora’s rescue appears it might fail, Lachlan helps them escape by joining them in the ensuing firefight with Star’s pursuers.  Several weeks later the world changes for supernatural beings and humans as wicked dragons kill billions of humans and supernaturals and wipes out much of the world while attempting to take it over. Star, Aurora, and her band flee to New Orleans, which was not totally destroyed by the dragon attacks and is being rebuilt by an alpha wolf and his pack. Once he’s able to find her, Lachlan follows them there just to be near her.

Vividly lush description brings the devastated world and the characters off the pages and to life. The novel has a diverse cast of characters, who are well-developed, as are their motivations and interactions with the other characters. Star’s band is a group of misfit shifters who have known each other since childhood. They are ride-or-die, which is why they are more than willing to sacrifice and put their lives on the line to rescue Aurora. More than a band—they’re family—a central theme in the novel. Lachlan went into hibernation after losing his mate. He never expected to have a second chance at having one, but he cannot stay away from Star, especially when someone attacks her. Much to her displeasure he declares himself her protector and won’t leave her side. Star wants to be cold and uninterested in Lachlan but excites her. She’s also been having strange dreams of herself with a faceless man in the past, that feel real. 

King, the alpha who has taken on the burden of rebuilding New Orleans is intriguing. He’s young for an alpha and seems burdened by the responsibility that he willingly took on himself.  Nevertheless, he’s committed to achieving his goal and never shirks his responsibility despite push back from supernaturals and humans making things more complicated and difficult for him. King is immediately drawn to Aurora, who is having some trouble healing and readjusting to life after her year of captivity. She is also keeping something important from her sister.

The world-building is gradual, as the author adds pieces bit by bit without information drops that slow down the pacing of the story. Although, some information was mentioned by characters about how the world in general was faring now, I would have liked just a little more specific detail about just which parts were totally destroyed and others that escaped that fate like New Orleans. I think it would increase the stakes in showing just how small the world has become to make humans, and all manner of supernaturals—witches, vampires, wolfs, dragons, and other shifters—have to live and work together to rebuild the world and for their very survival. With all the tension and competing agendas, lifestyles, worldviews, and power grabs likely to occur between the different species—not to mention the personal baggage of the induvial characters—I cannot wait to see where this series takes us.

Ancient Protector gets the Ancients Rising series started with an exciting, amusing, suspenseful, action packed, steamy romance about the things we will do for family, the importance of family, and the courage it takes to risk it all for a second chance at love.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Love this new series as we start with Star and Lachlan who have an interesting history.  Throughout the book, we wait to find out what shifter Star is and it is worth the wait!  I kind of did have an idea but it was fun to guess and try to figure out the clues along the way.

It was also great to see some of the previous couples make an appearance in this series and now will have to go back and re-read some of their books!!  

Lots of drama, intrigue and romance as they are living in a world that has been devastated and trying to make work together but there are always those that want to take advantage of the situation.  Plus, there is the problem with Oscar and if Star's sister will every be safe again.

Can't wait for the next book in the series!!

Ancient Protector is a paranormal romance between an ancient dragon and a uprising singer. The book starts off with Star getting ready to put on a performance in order for her team to rescue her sister. Her sister had been held captive for over a year, and finally Star is able to rescue her and get her to safety. However, things don’t go as planned when Star gains the interest of a dragon who is convinced she’s his mate.

I loved the idea of this story. This is kind of a rockstar romance mixed with paranormal elements, and one of the characters is a dragon! I don’t know about you, but I love dragon stories. So I was really looking forward to this story. However, I just never fully connected with the characters. I felt like we were just scratching the surface on who they were. Lachlan is dead set on having Star be his mate. Star is hiding who/what she really is from everyone she knows. They are clearly both attracted to each other, but still I just never fully got to the center of these two or what motivated them. In all honesty, I was more drawn to Star’s sister’s brewing romance with the Alpha werewolf shifter.

This story checked a lot of boxes for me on paper, but I just never felt that connection. Not sure why I wasn’t feeling this one because I am a big fan of the author’s. I’ll still give the next book a read because I feel like maybe I just didn’t connect with these particular characters.

After reading all of Katie Reus’s Darkness series, and being disappointed when the series came to an end, I was very excited to see a new spin off series.

I loved the storyline, and found both Lachlan and Star very likeable and well matched. Star is kick ass! I also liked the secondary romance between King and Aurora and am eagerly anticipating their book.

I did have a little bit of trouble with all the new characters and remembering who was who, but I think this is a problem with the first book of any new paranormal series, so it didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all.

Overall I loved this book and will be first in line for the next instalment.

The first in the new Ancients Rising series, Ancient Protector is a riveting paranormal romance. A large ensemble cast including a number we have met before, this story is full action, mystery, and intrigue. I enjoyed the characters and their stories and look forward to reading more.

Ancien Protector is the first volume in the brand new Ancients Rising series by Katie Reus, which is a spinoff of her Darkness series. If you haven’t read the first series, be aware that Ancient Protector begins just after the events at the end of Darkness Rising, the last volume, and it can be useful to read at least this book for a better understanding, even if everything is summed up during the novel.
We meet Star, just before a mission to save her sister who’s been kidnapped, who’ll receive Lachlan’s unexpected help. Then we have a quite classical story about fated mates, with option reincarnation.

There’s a mystery around Star’s inner animal that is not revealed before the end, even if some clues are distillated throughout the novel, and it’s a nice surprise as it’s rarely used by authors of fantasy romance. The heroine is very disturbed by dreams she’s been having for a few weeks about an unknown dragon whose face she doesn’t see, and she needs a long time to understand it’s the hero and a previous version of herself. I must confess I moderately liked this reincarnation story, I always have trouble believing in the survivor’s feelings for the current person. But as here it’s a fated story they’ll have ended together quickly all the same. However I liked the link between the heroine and her group of friends of various races, link that makes her an involuntary alpha.

Lachlan is a dragon who preferred going into hibernation for centuries after losing his fated mate, and he’s only been awake for a few weeks, almost when Star began having those weird dreams. For an alpha dragon chief of his clan, I was pleasantly surprised by him: he’s not overbearing, he respects the heroine’s position in her group, rarely imposing his decisions. What a difference with the hero in Darkness Rising who got on my nerves!

The attraction between them is fast (almost immediate on the hero’s side), and if he’s quickly going to realize she’s his fated mate, she’ll need much more time. It has to be said that she’s quite busy with her sister’s problem. None of them resists to his/her feelings, and we can just regret that like always love comes quickly. However the author knows how to show an evolution instead of having them change in the blink of an eye, which is always positive. 

Who says dragon shifter says dragon in the sky, and with the revelation done to humans about the existence of supernatural creatures at the end of Darkness Rising, dragons don’t hide anymore (or at least only when they need it). Katie Reus wasn’t afraid before to have her shifters change into their animals, unlike other authors, and that hasn’t changed now of course. We even are treated with battle scenes between dragons!! (yes I’m fangirling, but DRA-GONS !!)

We see an attraction for Star’s sister from the New Orleans’ alpha and I wonder if they’ll soon have their story. However mention is made several times of one of Lachaln’s brother who’s still in hibernation, and surprise he’ll be the hero of the second volume planned for august. I can’t wait!!

Ancient Protector is the first in the new Ancients Rising series. This was my first book by Katie Reus, and I wasn't disappointed.   Wonderful shifter characters - and wait until you find out what Star is!  I enjoyed this book immensely - it has a little bit of everything - action, suspense, humor, sexy love scenes - love the unique characters and settings and can't wait to read the next in this series!

Here is the link to my Blog review for Ancient Protector(also pasted bellow),
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2020/07/11/review-ancient-protector-ancients-rising-1-by-katie-reus/


4.5 ‘My Morning Star’ Stars

Awww, how I missed Katie Reus Darkness world!!! These dragons just can be beat and Lachlan is THE dragon! What an amazing come back to one of my fav PNR universes!

To say I was excited for the spin off series would be an understatement because I was dying for this. And the wait and anticipation were so worth because Lachlan and Star are the perfect couple to kick off this new adventure.


Smoldering? That was a thing, right? Because he had it in spades.

“What happens if she doesn’t agree to go with you?” King asked.
“Then in a week and a half, I shall kidnap her.”


An what a journey it is, there is no slow build in this one, we jump right in into some kickass action! The opening scene snags us right in and I couldn’t stop reading in after that start. I absolutely adore the way we where presented to this new gang of supernaturals and I’m also beyond psyched to see again some of my fav Darkness peeps, like Cynara.

Lachlan and Star, are the definition of fated mated, and if you follow my reviews you know that is my favorite trope, so these two couldn’t have been more amazing and perfect together. Both are so complex and passionate, loyal and strong, a true pairing of Alphas, and a match made in Heaven. Lachlan was the epitome of Alpha, in all his OTT protective and possessive deliciousness, and I adore every second of it, specially how unapologetic he was about how he felt for her, so swoon worthy!

“The skies are free. If you want to follow after me, be my guest.”
“I will.” His dragon would follow her to the ends of the earth.

“I can carry you in my claws or you can ride on my back. Either way is acceptable.”
“Your back it is.”
“For the record, I would like you to ride me in other ways while we are both naked and—”


He was glad she hadn’t known how to ride him. It meant that she had not flown with a dragon before. He would be her first. He also wanted to be her last.
I don’t know how Ms. Reus does it, but I’m always in awe at the incredibly realistic – even in its supernatural nature – world building and enticing characters. Badass action scenes set in an enrapturing adventure, hilarious banter, deliciously smoldering chemistry in all the couple interactions, as well as smoking hot sexy times, all this topping of an epic love story. 

Every single time without fail, and Ancient Protector is the example, I’m not only completely immersed in the main couple’s love story, but also craving to know about every single one of the side characters, as well as rooting that we’ll see their own tales. Yep, this series is already utterly and deeply addictive, and I’m so here for it. That’s right, not only do I want the rest of the dragon’s story, but I NEED Aurora and King’s story ASAP!!!  <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 



I dinnae care what you are. You’re mine, love. That’s all that matters.”

He was…he was her dragon. Always had been, always would be.

“There will never be another for me.”
“There will never be another for me either,”

I absolutely love Dragons!!! Star and Lachlan made an absolutely delightful couple, lol. Star is on a mission to rescue her sister who has been imprisoned and it is up to her and her crew to break her out. This is also the same time she meets Lachlan. Lachlan an alpha dragon realizes she is his mate and goes to unbelievable lengths to protect her and keep her safe. I loved Lachlan he as an alpha dragon, an ancient one and he was supportive and protective of his alpha mate, Star. I loved that they both drew on each other's strengths and no one felt primordial over one another. We get some of the old cast and if you had read all of the past books in the Darkness series then you know the Ancients Rising series is a spin-off.  This story has a beautiful surprise that I figured out earlier on in the story. Loved it and am so glad that Lachlan and Star got their HEA!!! 4.5 stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****

Star is a world-renowned singing sensation with one mission: recover her abducted sister Aurora, who was taken by a devious dragon shifter because he knows the truth of and covets what Aurora is. Once Star and her pack of diverse shifters break Aurora free, they make new lives for themselves in New Orleans. 

Lachlan is an ancient dragon, alpha of a clan in Scotland, recently awakened from his hibernation. He bids a million dollars for a date with Star at a celebrity auction and follows her to New Orleans where he intends to woo her and show her he’s a dragon worthy of mating her.

Ancient Protector is the first in a new paranormal romance series; however it is a spinoff from, or rather continuation of, Ms. Reus’s wonderful Darkness series. In the conclusion of the final book in that series, Darkness Rising, the world was turned upside down when dragons fought to dominate the world, killing millions and alerting humans to the presence of supernatural beings. Ancient Protector kicks off the Ancients Rising series with a romance set in this new world, with supernaturals and humans working to rebuild. Ancient Protector works as a first-in-a-series and can be read without having enjoyed the Darkness series.

The romance between Star and Lachlan is a fated mates situation, which is par for the course with Ms. Reus’s world. However, there is a twist (which I won’t spoil) that adds to their story, making it unique. I enjoy that they take the time (albeit short time) to develop a bond and friendship even though they are drawn together. Star is reluctant to trust Lachlan, so he earns her trust, making their connection more powerful and meaningful.

While the story is entertaining, I was a bit shocked at how easily everyone is adjusting only weeks after the devastating events from the previous series. While we don’t ever see the world from a human’s POV, I’m a bit surprised that everyone and everything is pretty good, and the world is not dark or apocalyptic. However, it works for the series, especially if one is not familiar with the previous books. My biggest “issue” is that the author makes us wait until the climatic scene of the book to reveal Star’s “inner beast,” dragging out the mystery to a point that it becomes distracting to the story (and I’d already figured it out).

Overall, Ancient Protector is a promising start to a new series and an enjoyable addition to the Darkness world. This new spinoff looks like it will focus on a new group of characters, but there are several familiar ones, too. 

My Rating: B-

I love the way this book overlaps the end of Darkness Rising.  You see a glimpe into the  life of Star before the dragon attacks and what its like after.   Greer, Reaper, King, and others from Darkness are here.   Star and Lachlan have a rocky road filled with interesting twists and ever more interesting characters.  You don't find out for sure what kind of paranormal Star is until almost the end.   She is a bada$$ and Lachlan is great.  Their chemistry is off the charts but both are akward as well!!    I love all the verbal foreplay.   Well written, fast paced, HEA as usual from Ms Reus.

This book was set in an already established world (which took me longer than I care to admit to realize), but you could easily dive in here, at the start of this new series.

Star is a paranormal of unknown origins.  When a big bad dragon guy kidnaps her baby sister, she mobilizes her crew, which also doubles as her band, to break her out.  It just so happens that the events of this heist end up overlapping with the big coming out of dragons and witches and everything that goes bump in the night.  Prior to the big break out plan, Star (who is a hottie singing star) ends up in a charity auction.  She ends up getting bid on by a dragon (they're just all over the place!) named Lachlan.

After all the hub bub, lots of action, and the whole world losing its collective mind, Star and Lachlan end up reconnecting in the sexiest of ways.  Can I take a moment to acknowledge the awesome mix of characters that Star and Lachlan surround themselves with?  They are all really great and I cannot wait until we swing back around and pair them all off with some great mates.  So, yeah, back to the story!  There is still a big bad out there and nobody can seem to rest without handling it.  This leads to much more drama, and action!  This book was a great blend of romance, action, adventure, and fabulous world building.  I cannot wait to see where it goes next!

This book was given to me by netgalley for my honest review.
Star is a famous singer, but her goal is to find her kidnapped sister. She agrees to perform for a dragon shifter so she can rescue her. However, she ends up finding her mate in in Lachlan, who is an Ancient who went into hibernation after losing someone he loved. I enjoyed this book tremendously. Star is a strong female character who is witty and her interactions with Lachlan made me laugh. Lachlan is definitely an alpha male but still had a tender side and I enjoyed his character. The only downside is this is a spinoff of her darnesss series. You don’t have to read the series but it does help with some of the references in the book. A few times I was a little confused. Overall, an amazing read. I highly recommend it. I will purchase it for my library.

4.25 stars--ANCIENT PROTECTOR is the first instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult ANCIENTS RISING paranormal, romance series. This is ancient dragon alpha of the Donnachaidh clan in Scotland, Lachlan, and singer Star’s story line.  The ANCIENTS RISING series is a spin-off from the author’s DARKNESS series but you do not have to have read the original series to follow the current time line. A few characters from the Darkness Series crossover for cohesion and familiarity.


Told from dual third person perspectives (Lachlan and Star) using present day and memories from the past,  ANCIENT PROTECTOR follows the building relationship between ancient dragon alpha of the Donnachaidh clan in Scotland, Lachlan, and singer Star. Star is on a mission in England to rescue her sister Aurora who was abducted one year earlier. Performing at a concert for dragon alpha Osgar, the beast currently holding her sister in prison, Star will come face to face with another dragon alpha, Lachlan, the man who will steal her heart.  Upon their return to America, Lachlan will become guardian and protector of our storyline heroine knowing Osgar is determined to take back what doesn’t belong.  What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Lachlan and Star, and the potential fall-out as Lachlan and Star are caught up in a battle between ancients vying for control.

Star and Aurora keep secret their true identities having never let the world know about their supernatural abilities but Star’s recurring dreams bring with them memories from a time long ago, where our heroine had fallen in love with a beast of immense powers.  Lachlan lost his mate thousands of years earlier, and sent himself into Protective Hibernation in an effort to quell the grief and loss. Meeting Star gave Lachlan a hope for a second chance, a second chance at love and a happily ever after.

The relationship between Lachlan and Star is one of immediate attraction but Star struggles with the alpha’s need to protect and control. An alpha herself, Star is capable of holding her own, and in this their combined powers make for a powerful pair. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, fun and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Star’s sister Aurora; her bandmates and security staff: Axel, Harlow, Lola, Taya, Kartini and Brielle; half demon Cynara; wolf alpha King; and Lachlan’s brother Cody, and dragons Teague, and Cian. There is something developing between Aurora and King. 

ANCIENT PROTECTOR is a story of second chances, fated mates, family, vengeance, power and control. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the slow building romance is seductive; the characters are dynamic and  animated. ANCIENT PROTECTOR is a great start to a new series.



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