lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
Very well written book, Aeron found love, and showed that he was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep that love. The Gods are very tricky, and Galen is crazy! Too bad Legion wasn't able to kill him!
Good to know that Pandora and Baden still exist on another plane, and I can't wait to read about Paris and Sienna, and how hard it will be for Sienna to be the new keeper of Wrath!
Good to know that Pandora and Baden still exist on another plane, and I can't wait to read about Paris and Sienna, and how hard it will be for Sienna to be the new keeper of Wrath!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
The Darkest Passion
3 Stars
Synopsis
Olivia is a warrior angel charged with assassinating Aeron, the keeper of Wrath, but refuses to carry out her mission and is exiled from Heaven. Fascinated by the fallen angel who claims to have forfeited immortality to experience life and love with him, Aeron finds himself torn between fulfilling his desire for Olivia and appeasing his faithful demon companion, Legion, who will do anything to dispose of the angel...
Note: This series MUST be read in order otherwise it is virtually impossible to follow the storyline and references to secondary characters.
Review
While I am thoroughly enjoying this series, The Darkest Passion does not live up to expectations. The first 1/4 of the book is slow and disjointed. Nevertheless, the pace eventually picks up and the last 1/4 is exciting. I also dislike the introduction of Christian lore into a series that has previously focused on elements from Greek myth. Each mythology is compelling in its own right but they do not mesh well.
After reading The Darkest Kiss and The Darkest Pleasure, Aeron's book was at the top of my list but, unfortunately, his romance with Olivia falls flat on its face. They have absolutely no chemistry and their relationship feels forced.
Olivia is the worst type of heroine - passive, needy and insipid. Her status as a fallen angel is the most interesting thing about her but this fails to reach its potential either in her thoughts or actions as demonstrated by her constant need to remind both Aeron and the reader that she is actually fallen. She is constantly throwing herself at Aeron and fawning over him even when he rejects her - "confident and aggressive" NOT!
Aeron lacks emotional depth and goes from hunky alpha to wimpy omega. Despite the build up of his demon in previous installments, it is completely under-utilized here and all we get from him is the repeated "mine, mine, mine".
Legion is obnoxious and manipulative. I have no idea what Aeron sees in her and I just want her to die already. The twists involving her character are seriously creepy.
That said, the book is worth reading for the secondary cast and the progression of their individual stories - Gideon and Scarlet's past history, William and Gilly's budding relationship (hope she is the one to finally put him in his place) and the hints at Paris and Sienna's reunion are all very appealing as are the cameo appearances by Pandora and Baden (wonder what's going on there).
The twists and turns in the series story arc are also a highlight - the hunters are getting stronger and more devious, the Unspoken Ones have put a wrench in the works and some strange alliances are emerging.
Looks like there are interesting developments to come and hopefully Gideon and Scarlet's romance will be an improvement.
3 Stars
Synopsis
Olivia is a warrior angel charged with assassinating Aeron, the keeper of Wrath, but refuses to carry out her mission and is exiled from Heaven. Fascinated by the fallen angel who claims to have forfeited immortality to experience life and love with him, Aeron finds himself torn between fulfilling his desire for Olivia and appeasing his faithful demon companion, Legion, who will do anything to dispose of the angel...
Note: This series MUST be read in order otherwise it is virtually impossible to follow the storyline and references to secondary characters.
Review
While I am thoroughly enjoying this series, The Darkest Passion does not live up to expectations. The first 1/4 of the book is slow and disjointed. Nevertheless, the pace eventually picks up and the last 1/4 is exciting. I also dislike the introduction of Christian lore into a series that has previously focused on elements from Greek myth. Each mythology is compelling in its own right but they do not mesh well.
After reading The Darkest Kiss and The Darkest Pleasure, Aeron's book was at the top of my list but, unfortunately, his romance with Olivia falls flat on its face. They have absolutely no chemistry and their relationship feels forced.
Olivia is the worst type of heroine - passive, needy and insipid. Her status as a fallen angel is the most interesting thing about her but this fails to reach its potential either in her thoughts or actions as demonstrated by her constant need to remind both Aeron and the reader that she is actually fallen. She is constantly throwing herself at Aeron and fawning over him even when he rejects her - "confident and aggressive" NOT!
Aeron lacks emotional depth and goes from hunky alpha to wimpy omega. Despite the build up of his demon in previous installments, it is completely under-utilized here and all we get from him is the repeated "mine, mine, mine".
Legion is obnoxious and manipulative. I have no idea what Aeron sees in her and I just want her to die already. The twists involving her character
Spoiler
her pact with Lucifer, the possibility that Aeron will have sex with her and her encounter with GalenThat said, the book is worth reading for the secondary cast and the progression of their individual stories - Gideon and Scarlet's past history, William and Gilly's budding relationship (hope she is the one to finally put him in his place) and the hints at Paris and Sienna's reunion are all very appealing as are the cameo appearances by Pandora and Baden (wonder what's going on there).
The twists and turns in the series story arc are also a highlight - the hunters are getting stronger and more devious, the Unspoken Ones have put a wrench in the works and some strange alliances are emerging.
Looks like there are interesting developments to come and hopefully Gideon and Scarlet's romance will be an improvement.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
I think this might just be my favourite of the series so far. There was just so much going on, so many sub-plots and brief tantalising visits with the other warriors whose books have yet to come. A better overall plot and an interesting twist to the romance as well in the form of a jealous female demon, Aeron's "pet" Legion, having something to say about Aeron shacking up with an Angel. Even if she did fall from Heaven giving up everything just to spend his last two weeks with him.
I spent quite a lot of the book trying to figure out how on earth the main couple, Aeron the keeper of wrath, and Olivia, a fallen angel could possibly end the story on a Happily Ever After as things just looked so hopeless at times. It drew you in emotionally with this theme of longing for something you know you can't have. The disastrous results of Legion's interference was particularly gripping. The female characters have never had to contend with another as competition in any of these stories so far, so that part was a very interesting change to the formula.
There is further progress on the war with the hunters, as well as insight into the bigger picture with the god Cronus and his wife Rhea. It's quite sad to see the way the hunters are portrayed in this series. Sad because it's probably an accurate depiction of how at least some humans would react were it real. People are scared of what the don't understand and instead of doing something about their ignorance, they lash out like a cornered animal. It's a depressing reflection on human behaviour, but it makes for great reading.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I give it 4 stars ★★★★
I spent quite a lot of the book trying to figure out how on earth the main couple, Aeron the keeper of wrath, and Olivia, a fallen angel could possibly end the story on a Happily Ever After as things just looked so hopeless at times. It drew you in emotionally with this theme of longing for something you know you can't have. The disastrous results of Legion's interference was particularly gripping. The female characters have never had to contend with another as competition in any of these stories so far, so that part was a very interesting change to the formula.
There is further progress on the war with the hunters, as well as insight into the bigger picture with the god Cronus and his wife Rhea. It's quite sad to see the way the hunters are portrayed in this series. Sad because it's probably an accurate depiction of how at least some humans would react were it real. People are scared of what the don't understand and instead of doing something about their ignorance, they lash out like a cornered animal. It's a depressing reflection on human behaviour, but it makes for great reading.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I give it 4 stars ★★★★
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
Never have I laughed, and cried so much.
Aeron is so loving, that his torment literally nearly shattered my soul. His reuniting with old friends literally had me blubbering like an idiot, especially after I blubbered over his death.
His unwanted love triangle with pesky little Legion (I hope she's okay!) and Olivia the joy bringing angel, was so cute and funny and everything it should have been.
The amount of sacrifice he is willing to give for the ones he loves (examples: bedding legion for his brothers safety - selfish fucking demon- and his death for Olivia and legions safety, and of course his sacrifices as a warrior, risking his life by running head on into battle at all times and protecting others over himself - like the battle in Nightmare/Scarlets lair, and the Hunter battle at The Asylum ) and the amount of painful thoughts (examples: everyone around him would die - thoughts sprouted after Baden died, pitied humans without seeing the joy life brings because he felt so alone- when he found out what happened to Olivia - I think my souls roared with him in his pain) make him probably one of the strongest and best men so far.
While he is one to give into his demon whenever it wants, his demon, Wrath, is probably the nicest of them all so far. As Wrath is only a punishment, it enters peoples minds and finds something they did wrong, and punishes them in the exact same way. For example, you stabbed someone, he'll stab you. You drowned someone, he'll drown you. Etcetera.
Now normally, Wrath has only so far been calmed by Legion, which Aeron guesses is because Wrath likes hell after Pandora's box. But once comes into contact with Olivia, Wrath is smitten and refuses to let Aeron let him forget her. He thinks this is because wrath wants a piece of heaven, something he's never been to. ANYWAY. Eventually, they stop their arguing and Aeron accepts that whatever Wrath wants, is what he wants.
I feel like these demons are like their consciences. Trying to get them to give into temptation, while they fight themselves. Anyway, this one we finally get the invisibility cloak, legion bites Galen, and because Aeron is killed for the good of mankind, when they return him to his body, he's no longer got a demon in him- maybe they can take it from Sienna - oh Cronus you asshole, doing that to Paris!- and put it back.
Also, Cronus and Rhea (his wife) are demon possessed. Always knew they were fuckers for a reason! Now, where the hell is Atlas and his lady? Weren't they searching for the Lords in that novellas end? Hmmmmmmmmm we shall see!
OH! And Gideon HAD a WIFE?!? Who the FUCK messed with my Gideon's memory?! If it was Cronus he WILL die.
Aeron is so loving, that his torment literally nearly shattered my soul. His reuniting with old friends literally had me blubbering like an idiot, especially after I blubbered over his death.
His unwanted love triangle with pesky little Legion (I hope she's okay!) and Olivia the joy bringing angel, was so cute and funny and everything it should have been.
The amount of sacrifice he is willing to give for the ones he loves (examples: bedding legion for his brothers safety - selfish fucking demon- and his death for Olivia and legions safety, and of course his sacrifices as a warrior, risking his life by running head on into battle at all times and protecting others over himself - like the battle in Nightmare/Scarlets lair, and the Hunter battle at The Asylum ) and the amount of painful thoughts (examples: everyone around him would die - thoughts sprouted after Baden died, pitied humans without seeing the joy life brings because he felt so alone- when he found out what happened to Olivia - I think my souls roared with him in his pain) make him probably one of the strongest and best men so far.
While he is one to give into his demon whenever it wants, his demon, Wrath, is probably the nicest of them all so far. As Wrath is only a punishment, it enters peoples minds and finds something they did wrong, and punishes them in the exact same way. For example, you stabbed someone, he'll stab you. You drowned someone, he'll drown you. Etcetera.
Now normally, Wrath has only so far been calmed by Legion, which Aeron guesses is because Wrath likes hell after Pandora's box. But once comes into contact with Olivia, Wrath is smitten and refuses to let Aeron let him forget her. He thinks this is because wrath wants a piece of heaven, something he's never been to. ANYWAY. Eventually, they stop their arguing and Aeron accepts that whatever Wrath wants, is what he wants.
I feel like these demons are like their consciences. Trying to get them to give into temptation, while they fight themselves. Anyway, this one we finally get the invisibility cloak, legion bites Galen, and because Aeron is killed for the good of mankind, when they return him to his body, he's no longer got a demon in him- maybe they can take it from Sienna - oh Cronus you asshole, doing that to Paris!- and put it back.
Also, Cronus and Rhea (his wife) are demon possessed. Always knew they were fuckers for a reason! Now, where the hell is Atlas and his lady? Weren't they searching for the Lords in that novellas end? Hmmmmmmmmm we shall see!
OH! And Gideon HAD a WIFE?!? Who the FUCK messed with my Gideon's memory?! If it was Cronus he WILL die.
tamreel_stitches's review against another edition
3.0
The book was great and the ending was better than I was expecting.
superstucked's review against another edition
3.0
Not a fan of the angels. They seem to lack depth in their personalities. But the plotline advancments were really good.
And learning more about Lies and Defeat were some of my favourite sections.
And learning more about Lies and Defeat were some of my favourite sections.
dragon_lion64's review against another edition
4.0
A re-read
Love this series.
This messed with my emotions. I can't stand Legion and can't understand how anyone likes her. Olivia was way to nice to her and Aeron is blinded by the little fiend.
Love this series.
This messed with my emotions. I can't stand Legion and can't understand how anyone likes her. Olivia was way to nice to her and Aeron is blinded by the little fiend.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
5.0
Now that I've finally calmed down (somewhat!), I can finally write a proper review.
I loved this book so much, but so freaking much, that the madness of having to wait to read it was worth it.
The Darkest Passion was, hands down, the best book in the series so far.
Aeron was amazing. I have been obsessed with him since The Darkest Night and his book only made me love him more.
He was always fascinating. A winged giant literally covered in tattoos of horrific, bloody scenes, who, as keeper of the demon of Wrath, could be taken over by a powerful desire to punish evil.
I loved that he had that ruthless, unmerciful side, yet he was someone crushed by the guilt of the deeds he did and would do under the power of a bloodlust, so much so that he tattoed his own body with said deeds, just so he could remember what it would happen if he failed to have the beast under control.
Really. Just fascinating.
Plus, we could also see his more vulnerable side when he was with Olivia.
I was pissed that he was always pushing her away, but at the same time, I knew that had to happen, because someone with so much regret and who saw himself as evil and not worthy would never succumb easily to love.
That was painful to read, but as we were able to be inside his mind, we knew that he didn't mean anything he said and that he really wanted to be loved and cherished.
I am so effin' glad Olivia appeared! She's a great heroine and just the right person to the hardened Aeron.
I loved that she always saw the good in him.
She always saw how he would put his life in risk for his loved ones, without hesitation, how he always put everybody else before him, how guilty he felt for the things he did when his demon took over, how he always tried to be a better man, in spite of the evil inside him and how he only punished evil people.
It would stand to reason that, as a true angel from the Heavens, she would see Aeron as a threat and, when faced with the task of killing him, she would also do that without looking back.
But no. She saw he didn't deserve to die and chose to give up her entire life for him. She literally abandoned everything she had, everything she was, to save him.
But that wasn't the only reason. I loved that, even though she was really sweet and innocent, she was also a truly sensual creature.
When she saw Aeron, she desired him. She wanted to, at last, live life and experience joy and passion. And she wanted all those things with him.
And even though she faced a lot of resistance from him, she didn't give up. Even when she hurt because she thought they didn't have a future together.
She ended up melting all of Aeron's defenses and receiving all he had to give. And giving him all she had too, which was what she wanted.
Lucky woman!
Aeron and Olivia were meant to be. Really. They wouldn't be what they are with someone else. I bet their story was written in the Heavens. ;)
Now excuse me while I will continue basking in my The Darkest Passion madness. xD
anonymous_duck's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5